It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to make them their own.

Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process of “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings in language that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason, new. We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a mile a minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds. These expertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource for study, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment. By making the classic texts of the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as Folger Digital Texts, we place a trusted resource in the hands of anyone who wants them.

The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis for the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of their origin. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is the single greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works. An unparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have been consulted extensively in the preparation of these texts. The Editions also reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance of Shakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theater.

I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s works, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with a richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readers who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow the paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting the Folger either in-person or online, where a range of physical and digital resources exists to supplement the material in these texts. I commend to you these words, and hope that they inspire.

Michael Witmore
Director, Folger Shakespeare Library

Textual Introduction
By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine

Until now, with the release of the Folger Digital Texts, readers in search of a free online text of Shakespeare’s plays had to be content primarily with using the Moby™ Text, which reproduces a late-nineteenth century version of the plays. What is the difference? Many ordinary readers assume that there is a single text for the plays: what Shakespeare wrote. But Shakespeare’s plays were not published the way modern novels or plays are published today: as a single, authoritative text. In some cases, the plays have come down to us in multiple published versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and by the great collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called the First Folio (F). There are, for example, three very different versions of Hamlet, two of King Lear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and others. Editors choose which version to use as their base text, and then amend that text with words, lines or speech prefixes from the other versions that, in their judgment, make for a better or more accurate text.

Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar word could be understood in light of other writings of the period or whether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it into Shakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred years of printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on cultural preference and taste. When the Moby™ Text was created, for example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”). All Shakespeare editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her father, Prospero.

The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long before scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to make the thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face. The Folger Library Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger Digital Texts depend, make this editorial process as nearly transparent as is possible, in contrast to older texts, like the Moby™, which hide editorial interventions. The reader of the Folger Shakespeare knows where the text has been altered because editorial interventions are signaled by square brackets (for example, from Othello: “If she in chains of magic were not bound,”), half-square brackets (for example, from Henry V: “With blood and sword and fire to win your right,”), or angle brackets (for example, from Hamlet: “O farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved/you?”). At any point in the text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for more information.

Because the Folger Digital Texts are edited in accord with twenty-first century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folger here provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors, and students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of the plays and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the study and enjoyment of Shakespeare.

Synopsis

Events before the start of Hamlet set the stage for tragedy. When the king of Denmark, Prince Hamlet’s father, suddenly dies, Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, marries his uncle Claudius, who becomes the new king.

A spirit who claims to be the ghost of Hamlet’s father describes his murder at the hands of Claudius and demands that Hamlet avenge the killing. When the councilor Polonius learns from his daughter, Ophelia, that Hamlet has visited her in an apparently distracted state, Polonius attributes the prince’s condition to lovesickness, and he sets a trap for Hamlet using Ophelia as bait.

To confirm Claudius’s guilt, Hamlet arranges for a play that mimics the murder; Claudius’s reaction is that of a guilty man. Hamlet, now free to act, mistakenly kills Polonius, thinking he is Claudius. Claudius sends Hamlet away as part of a deadly plot.

After Polonius’s death, Ophelia goes mad and later drowns. Hamlet, who has returned safely to confront the king, agrees to a fencing match with Ophelia’s brother, Laertes, who secretly poisons his own rapier. At the match, Claudius prepares poisoned wine for Hamlet, which Gertrude unknowingly drinks; as she dies, she accuses Claudius, whom Hamlet kills. Then first Laertes and then Hamlet die, both victims of Laertes’ rapier.

Characters in the Play

The Ghost

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, son of the late King Hamletand Queen Gertrude

Queen Gertrude, widow of King Hamlet, now married to Claudius

King Claudius, brother to the late King Hamlet

Ophelia

Laertes, her brother

Polonius, father of Ophelia and Laertes, councillor to King Claudius

Reynaldo, servant to Polonius

Horatio, Hamlet’s friend and confidant

Voltemand

Cornelius

Rosencrantz

Guildenstern

Osric

Gentlemen

A Lord

courtiers at the Danish court

Francisco

Barnardo

Marcellus

Danish soldiers

Fortinbras, Prince of Norway

A Captain in Fortinbras’s army

Ambassadors to Denmark from England

Players who take the roles of Prologue, Player King, Player Queen, and Lucianus in The Murder of Gonzago

FRANCISCOFTLN 001515I think I hear them.—Stand ho! Who is there?HORATIOFTLN 0016Friends to this ground.

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MARCELLUSFTLN 0017And liegemen to the Dane.FRANCISCOFTLN 0018Give you good night.MARCELLUSFTLN 0019O farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relievedFTLN 002020you?FRANCISCOFTLN 0021Barnardo hath my place. Give you good night.Francisco exits.MARCELLUSFTLN 0022Holla, Barnardo.BARNARDOFTLN 0023Say, what, is Horatio there?HORATIOFTLN 0024A piece of him.BARNARDOFTLN 002525Welcome, Horatio.—Welcome, good Marcellus.HORATIOFTLN 0026What, has this thing appeared again tonight?BARNARDOFTLN 0027I have seen nothing.MARCELLUSFTLN 0028Horatio says ’tis but our fantasyFTLN 0029And will not let belief take hold of himFTLN 003030Touching this dreaded sight twice seen of us.FTLN 0031Therefore I have entreated him alongFTLN 0032With us to watch the minutes of this night,FTLN 0033That, if again this apparition come,FTLN 0034He may approve our eyes and speak to it.HORATIOFTLN 003535Tush, tush, ’twill not appear.BARNARDOFTLN 0036Sit down awhile,FTLN 0037And let us once again assail your ears,FTLN 0038That are so fortified against our story,FTLN 0039What we have two nights seen.HORATIOFTLN 004040Well, sit we down,FTLN 0041And let us hear Barnardo speak of this.BARNARDOFTLN 0042Last night of all,FTLN 0043When yond same star that’s westward from the poleFTLN 0044Had made his course t’ illume that part of heavenFTLN 004545Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself,FTLN 0046The bell then beating one—

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Enter Ghost.

MARCELLUSFTLN 0047Peace, break thee off! Look where it comes again.BARNARDOFTLN 0048In the same figure like the King that’s dead.MARCELLUS, to HoratioFTLN 0049Thou art a scholar. Speak to it, Horatio.BARNARDOFTLN 005050Looks he not like the King? Mark it, Horatio.HORATIOFTLN 0051Most like. It harrows me with fear and wonder.BARNARDOFTLN 0052It would be spoke to.MARCELLUSFTLN 0053Speak to it, Horatio.HORATIOFTLN 0054What art thou that usurp’st this time of night,FTLN 005555Together with that fair and warlike formFTLN 0056In which the majesty of buried DenmarkFTLN 0057Did sometimes march? By heaven, I charge thee,FTLN 0058speak.MARCELLUSFTLN 0059It is offended.BARNARDOFTLN 006060See, it stalks away.HORATIOFTLN 0061Stay! speak! speak! I charge thee, speak!Ghost exits.MARCELLUSFTLN 0062’Tis gone and will not answer.BARNARDOFTLN 0063How now, Horatio, you tremble and look pale.FTLN 0064Is not this something more than fantasy?FTLN 006565What think you on ’t?HORATIOFTLN 0066Before my God, I might not this believeFTLN 0067Without the sensible and true avouchFTLN 0068Of mine own eyes.

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ACT 1. SC. 1

MARCELLUSFTLN 0069Is it not like the King?HORATIOFTLN 007070As thou art to thyself.FTLN 0071Such was the very armor he had onFTLN 0072When he the ambitious Norway combated.FTLN 0073So frowned he once when, in an angry parle,FTLN 0074He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice.FTLN 007575’Tis strange.MARCELLUSFTLN 0076Thus twice before, and jump at this dead hour,FTLN 0077With martial stalk hath he gone by our watch.HORATIOFTLN 0078In what particular thought to work I know not,FTLN 0079But in the gross and scope of mine opinionFTLN 008080This bodes some strange eruption to our state.MARCELLUSFTLN 0081Good now, sit down, and tell me, he that knows,FTLN 0082Why this same strict and most observant watchFTLN 0083So nightly toils the subject of the land,FTLN 0084And why such daily cast of brazen cannonFTLN 008585And foreign mart for implements of war,FTLN 0086Why such impress of shipwrights, whose sore taskFTLN 0087Does not divide the Sunday from the week.FTLN 0088What might be toward that this sweaty hasteFTLN 0089Doth make the night joint laborer with the day?FTLN 009090Who is ’t that can inform me?HORATIOFTLN 0091That can I.FTLN 0092At least the whisper goes so: our last king,FTLN 0093Whose image even but now appeared to us,FTLN 0094Was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway,FTLN 009595Thereto pricked on by a most emulate pride,FTLN 0096Dared to the combat; in which our valiant HamletFTLN 0097(For so this side of our known world esteemed him)FTLN 0098Did slay this Fortinbras, who by a sealed compact,FTLN 0099Well ratified by law and heraldry,FTLN 0100100Did forfeit, with his life, all those his landsFTLN 0101Which he stood seized of, to the conqueror.

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ACT 1. SC. 1

FTLN 0102Against the which a moiety competentFTLN 0103Was gagèd by our king, which had returnedFTLN 0104To the inheritance of FortinbrasFTLN 0105105Had he been vanquisher, as, by the same comartFTLN 0106And carriage of the article designed,FTLN 0107His fell to Hamlet. Now, sir, young Fortinbras,FTLN 0108Of unimprovèd mettle hot and full,FTLN 0109Hath in the skirts of Norway here and thereFTLN 0110110Sharked up a list of lawless resolutesFTLN 0111For food and diet to some enterpriseFTLN 0112That hath a stomach in ’t; which is no otherFTLN 0113(As it doth well appear unto our state)FTLN 0114But to recover of us, by strong handFTLN 0115115And terms compulsatory, those foresaid landsFTLN 0116So by his father lost. And this, I take it,FTLN 0117Is the main motive of our preparations,FTLN 0118The source of this our watch, and the chief headFTLN 0119Of this posthaste and rummage in the land.BARNARDOFTLN 0120120I think it be no other but e’en so.FTLN 0121Well may it sort that this portentous figureFTLN 0122Comes armèd through our watch so like the kingFTLN 0123That was and is the question of these wars.HORATIOFTLN 0124A mote it is to trouble the mind’s eye.FTLN 0125125In the most high and palmy state of Rome,FTLN 0126A little ere the mightiest Julius fell,FTLN 0127The graves stood tenantless, and the sheeted deadFTLN 0128Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets;FTLN 0129As stars with trains of fire and dews of blood,FTLN 0130130Disasters in the sun; and the moist star,FTLN 0131Upon whose influence Neptune’s empire stands,FTLN 0132Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse.FTLN 0133And even the like precurse of feared events,FTLN 0134As harbingers preceding still the fatesFTLN 0135135And prologue to the omen coming on,

FTLN 0138But soft, behold! Lo, where it comes again!FTLN 0139I’ll cross it though it blast me.—Stay, illusion!It spreads his arms.FTLN 0140140If thou hast any sound or use of voice,FTLN 0141Speak to me.FTLN 0142If there be any good thing to be doneFTLN 0143That may to thee do ease and grace to me,FTLN 0144Speak to me.FTLN 0145145If thou art privy to thy country’s fate,FTLN 0146Which happily foreknowing may avoid,FTLN 0147O, speak!FTLN 0148Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy lifeFTLN 0149Extorted treasure in the womb of earth,FTLN 0150150For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death,FTLN 0151Speak of it.The cock crows.FTLN 0152Stay and speak!—Stop it, Marcellus.MARCELLUSFTLN 0153Shall I strike it with my partisan?HORATIOFTLN 0154Do, if it will not stand.BARNARDOFTLN 0155155’Tis here.HORATIOFTLN 0156’Tis here.Ghost exits.MARCELLUSFTLN 0157’Tis gone.FTLN 0158We do it wrong, being so majestical,FTLN 0159To offer it the show of violence,FTLN 0160160For it is as the air, invulnerable,FTLN 0161And our vain blows malicious mockery.BARNARDOFTLN 0162It was about to speak when the cock crew.HORATIOFTLN 0163And then it started like a guilty thingFTLN 0164Upon a fearful summons. I have heard

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ACT 1. SC. 1

FTLN 0165165The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn,FTLN 0166Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throatFTLN 0167Awake the god of day, and at his warning,FTLN 0168Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air,FTLN 0169Th’ extravagant and erring spirit hiesFTLN 0170170To his confine, and of the truth hereinFTLN 0171This present object made probation.MARCELLUSFTLN 0172It faded on the crowing of the cock.FTLN 0173Some say that ever ’gainst that season comesFTLN 0174Wherein our Savior’s birth is celebrated,FTLN 0175175This bird of dawning singeth all night long;FTLN 0176And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad,FTLN 0177The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike,FTLN 0178No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,FTLN 0179So hallowed and so gracious is that time.HORATIOFTLN 0180180So have I heard and do in part believe it.FTLN 0181But look, the morn in russet mantle cladFTLN 0182Walks o’er the dew of yon high eastward hill.FTLN 0183Break we our watch up, and by my adviceFTLN 0184Let us impart what we have seen tonightFTLN 0185185Unto young Hamlet; for, upon my life,FTLN 0186This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him.FTLN 0187Do you consent we shall acquaint him with itFTLN 0188As needful in our loves, fitting our duty?MARCELLUSFTLN 0189Let’s do ’t, I pray, and I this morning knowFTLN 0190190Where we shall find him most convenient.They exit.

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Hamlet

ACT 1. SC. 2

Scene2

Flourish. Enter Claudius, King of Denmark, Gertrude theQueen, the Council, as Polonius, and his son Laertes,Hamlet, with others, among them Voltemand andCornelius.

KINGFTLN 0191Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s deathFTLN 0192The memory be green, and that it us befittedFTLN 0193To bear our hearts in grief, and our whole kingdomFTLN 0194To be contracted in one brow of woe,FTLN 01955Yet so far hath discretion fought with natureFTLN 0196That we with wisest sorrow think on himFTLN 0197Together with remembrance of ourselves.FTLN 0198Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen,FTLN 0199Th’ imperial jointress to this warlike state,FTLN 020010Have we (as ’twere with a defeated joy,FTLN 0201With an auspicious and a dropping eye,FTLN 0202With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage,FTLN 0203In equal scale weighing delight and dole)FTLN 0204Taken to wife. Nor have we herein barredFTLN 020515Your better wisdoms, which have freely goneFTLN 0206With this affair along. For all, our thanks.FTLN 0207Now follows that you know. Young Fortinbras,FTLN 0208Holding a weak supposal of our worthFTLN 0209Or thinking by our late dear brother’s deathFTLN 021020Our state to be disjoint and out of frame,FTLN 0211Colleaguèd with this dream of his advantage,FTLN 0212He hath not failed to pester us with messageFTLN 0213Importing the surrender of those landsFTLN 0214Lost by his father, with all bonds of law,FTLN 021525To our most valiant brother—so much for him.FTLN 0216Now for ourself and for this time of meeting.FTLN 0217Thus much the business is: we have here writFTLN 0218To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras,FTLN 0219Who, impotent and bedrid, scarcely hears

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ACT 1. SC. 2

FTLN 022030Of this his nephew’s purpose, to suppressFTLN 0221His further gait herein, in that the levies,FTLN 0222The lists, and full proportions are all madeFTLN 0223Out of his subject; and we here dispatchFTLN 0224You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltemand,FTLN 022535For bearers of this greeting to old Norway,FTLN 0226Giving to you no further personal powerFTLN 0227To business with the King more than the scopeFTLN 0228Of these dilated articles allow.Giving them a paper.FTLN 0229Farewell, and let your haste commend your duty.CORNELIUS/VOLTEMANDFTLN 023040In that and all things will we show our duty.KINGFTLN 0231We doubt it nothing. Heartily farewell.Voltemand and Cornelius exit.FTLN 0232And now, Laertes, what’s the news with you?FTLN 0233You told us of some suit. What is ’t, Laertes?FTLN 0234You cannot speak of reason to the DaneFTLN 023545And lose your voice. What wouldst thou beg,FTLN 0236Laertes,FTLN 0237That shall not be my offer, not thy asking?FTLN 0238The head is not more native to the heart,FTLN 0239The hand more instrumental to the mouth,FTLN 024050Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.FTLN 0241What wouldst thou have, Laertes?LAERTESFTLN 0242My dread lord,FTLN 0243Your leave and favor to return to France,FTLN 0244From whence though willingly I came to DenmarkFTLN 024555To show my duty in your coronation,FTLN 0246Yet now I must confess, that duty done,FTLN 0247My thoughts and wishes bend again toward FranceFTLN 0248And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon.KINGFTLN 0249Have you your father’s leave? What says Polonius?

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Hamlet

ACT 1. SC. 2

POLONIUSFTLN 025060Hath, my lord, wrung from me my slow leaveFTLN 0251By laborsome petition, and at lastFTLN 0252Upon his will I sealed my hard consent.FTLN 0253I do beseech you give him leave to go.KINGFTLN 0254Take thy fair hour, Laertes. Time be thine,FTLN 025565And thy best graces spend it at thy will.—FTLN 0256But now, my cousin Hamlet and my son—HAMLET, asideFTLN 0257A little more than kin and less than kind.KINGFTLN 0258How is it that the clouds still hang on you?HAMLETFTLN 0259Not so, my lord; I am too much in the sun.QUEENFTLN 026070Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted color off,FTLN 0261And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.FTLN 0262Do not forever with thy vailèd lidsFTLN 0263Seek for thy noble father in the dust.FTLN 0264Thou know’st ’tis common; all that lives must die,FTLN 026575Passing through nature to eternity.HAMLETFTLN 0266Ay, madam, it is common.QUEENFTLN 0267If it be,FTLN 0268Why seems it so particular with thee?HAMLETFTLN 0269“Seems,” madam? Nay, it is. I know not “seems.”FTLN 027080’Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,FTLN 0271Nor customary suits of solemn black,FTLN 0272Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,FTLN 0273No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,FTLN 0274Nor the dejected havior of the visage,FTLN 027585Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief,FTLN 0276That can denote me truly. These indeed “seem,”FTLN 0277For they are actions that a man might play;

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ACT 1. SC. 2

FTLN 0278But I have that within which passes show,FTLN 0279These but the trappings and the suits of woe.KINGFTLN 028090’Tis sweet and commendable in your nature,FTLN 0281Hamlet,FTLN 0282To give these mourning duties to your father.FTLN 0283But you must know your father lost a father,FTLN 0284That father lost, lost his, and the survivor boundFTLN 028595In filial obligation for some termFTLN 0286To do obsequious sorrow. But to perseverFTLN 0287In obstinate condolement is a courseFTLN 0288Of impious stubbornness. ’Tis unmanly grief.FTLN 0289It shows a will most incorrect to heaven,FTLN 0290100A heart unfortified, a mind impatient,FTLN 0291An understanding simple and unschooled.FTLN 0292For what we know must be and is as commonFTLN 0293As any the most vulgar thing to sense,FTLN 0294Why should we in our peevish oppositionFTLN 0295105Take it to heart? Fie, ’tis a fault to heaven,FTLN 0296A fault against the dead, a fault to nature,FTLN 0297To reason most absurd, whose common themeFTLN 0298Is death of fathers, and who still hath cried,FTLN 0299From the first corse till he that died today,FTLN 0300110“This must be so.” We pray you, throw to earthFTLN 0301This unprevailing woe and think of usFTLN 0302As of a father; for let the world take note,FTLN 0303You are the most immediate to our throne,FTLN 0304And with no less nobility of loveFTLN 0305115Than that which dearest father bears his sonFTLN 0306Do I impart toward you. For your intentFTLN 0307In going back to school in Wittenberg,FTLN 0308It is most retrograde to our desire,FTLN 0309And we beseech you, bend you to remainFTLN 0310120Here in the cheer and comfort of our eye,FTLN 0311Our chiefest courtier, cousin, and our son.

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QUEENFTLN 0312Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet.FTLN 0313I pray thee, stay with us. Go not to Wittenberg.HAMLETFTLN 0314I shall in all my best obey you, madam.KINGFTLN 0315125Why, ’tis a loving and a fair reply.FTLN 0316Be as ourself in Denmark.—Madam, come.FTLN 0317This gentle and unforced accord of HamletFTLN 0318Sits smiling to my heart, in grace whereofFTLN 0319No jocund health that Denmark drinks todayFTLN 0320130But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell,FTLN 0321And the King’s rouse the heaven shall bruit again,FTLN 0322Respeaking earthly thunder. Come away.Flourish. All but Hamlet exit.HAMLETFTLN 0323O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt,FTLN 0324Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew,FTLN 0325135Or that the Everlasting had not fixedFTLN 0326His canon ’gainst self-slaughter! O God, God,FTLN 0327How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitableFTLN 0328Seem to me all the uses of this world!FTLN 0329Fie on ’t, ah fie! ’Tis an unweeded gardenFTLN 0330140That grows to seed. Things rank and gross in natureFTLN 0331Possess it merely. That it should come to this:FTLN 0332But two months dead—nay, not so much, not two.FTLN 0333So excellent a king, that was to thisFTLN 0334Hyperion to a satyr; so loving to my motherFTLN 0335145That he might not beteem the winds of heavenFTLN 0336Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and Earth,FTLN 0337Must I remember? Why, she would hang on himFTLN 0338As if increase of appetite had grownFTLN 0339By what it fed on. And yet, within a monthFTLN 0340150(Let me not think on ’t; frailty, thy name is woman!),FTLN 0341A little month, or ere those shoes were oldFTLN 0342With which she followed my poor father’s body,

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FTLN 0343Like Niobe, all tears—why she, even sheFTLN 0344(O God, a beast that wants discourse of reasonFTLN 0345155Would have mourned longer!), married with myFTLN 0346uncle,FTLN 0347My father’s brother, but no more like my fatherFTLN 0348Than I to Hercules. Within a month,FTLN 0349Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tearsFTLN 0350160Had left the flushing in her gallèd eyes,FTLN 0351She married. O, most wicked speed, to postFTLN 0352With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!FTLN 0353It is not, nor it cannot come to good.FTLN 0354But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue.

Enter Horatio, Marcellus, and Barnardo.

HORATIOFTLN 0355165Hail to your Lordship.HAMLETFTLN 0356I am glad to see you well.FTLN 0357Horatio—or I do forget myself!HORATIOFTLN 0358The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever.HAMLETFTLN 0359Sir, my good friend. I’ll change that name with you.FTLN 0360170And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio?—FTLN 0361Marcellus?MARCELLUSFTLN 0362My good lord.HAMLETFTLN 0363I am very glad to see you.To Barnardo. GoodFTLN 0364even, sir.—FTLN 0365175But what, in faith, make you from Wittenberg?HORATIOFTLN 0366A truant disposition, good my lord.HAMLETFTLN 0367I would not hear your enemy say so,FTLN 0368Nor shall you do my ear that violenceFTLN 0369To make it truster of your own reportFTLN 0370180Against yourself. I know you are no truant.FTLN 0371But what is your affair in Elsinore?FTLN 0372We’ll teach you to drink deep ere you depart.

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ACT 1. SC. 2

HORATIOFTLN 0373My lord, I came to see your father’s funeral.HAMLETFTLN 0374I prithee, do not mock me, fellow student.FTLN 0375185I think it was to see my mother’s wedding.HORATIOFTLN 0376Indeed, my lord, it followed hard upon.HAMLETFTLN 0377Thrift, thrift, Horatio. The funeral baked meatsFTLN 0378Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.FTLN 0379Would I had met my dearest foe in heavenFTLN 0380190Or ever I had seen that day, Horatio!FTLN 0381My father—methinks I see my father.HORATIOFTLN 0382Where, my lord?HAMLETFTLN 0383In my mind’s eye, Horatio.HORATIOFTLN 0384I saw him once. He was a goodly king.HAMLETFTLN 0385195He was a man. Take him for all in all,FTLN 0386I shall not look upon his like again.HORATIOFTLN 0387My lord, I think I saw him yesternight.HAMLETFTLN 0388Saw who?HORATIOFTLN 0389My lord, the King your father.HAMLETFTLN 0390200The King my father?HORATIOFTLN 0391Season your admiration for a whileFTLN 0392With an attent ear, till I may deliverFTLN 0393Upon the witness of these gentlemenFTLN 0394This marvel to you.HAMLETFTLN 0395205For God’s love, let me hear!HORATIOFTLN 0396Two nights together had these gentlemen,FTLN 0397Marcellus and Barnardo, on their watch,

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Hamlet

ACT 1. SC. 2

FTLN 0398In the dead waste and middle of the night,FTLN 0399Been thus encountered: a figure like your father,FTLN 0400210Armed at point exactly, cap-à-pie,FTLN 0401Appears before them and with solemn marchFTLN 0402Goes slow and stately by them. Thrice he walkedFTLN 0403By their oppressed and fear-surprisèd eyesFTLN 0404Within his truncheon’s length, whilst they, distilledFTLN 0405215Almost to jelly with the act of fear,FTLN 0406Stand dumb and speak not to him. This to meFTLN 0407In dreadful secrecy impart they did,FTLN 0408And I with them the third night kept the watch,FTLN 0409Where, as they had delivered, both in time,FTLN 0410220Form of the thing (each word made true and good),FTLN 0411The apparition comes. I knew your father;FTLN 0412These hands are not more like.HAMLETFTLN 0413But where was this?MARCELLUSFTLN 0414My lord, upon the platform where we watch.HAMLETFTLN 0415225Did you not speak to it?HORATIOFTLN 0416My lord, I did,FTLN 0417But answer made it none. Yet once methoughtFTLN 0418It lifted up its head and did addressFTLN 0419Itself to motion, like as it would speak;FTLN 0420230But even then the morning cock crew loud,FTLN 0421And at the sound it shrunk in haste awayFTLN 0422And vanished from our sight.HAMLETFTLN 0423’Tis very strange.HORATIOFTLN 0424As I do live, my honored lord, ’tis true.FTLN 0425235And we did think it writ down in our dutyFTLN 0426To let you know of it.HAMLETFTLN 0427Indeed, sirs, but this troubles me.FTLN 0428Hold you the watch tonight?ALLFTLN 0429We do, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 0430240Armed, say you?

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ACT 1. SC. 2

ALLFTLN 0431Armed, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 0432From top to toe?ALLFTLN 0433My lord, from head to foot.HAMLETFTLN 0434Then saw you not his face?HORATIOFTLN 0435245O, yes, my lord, he wore his beaver up.HAMLETFTLN 0436What, looked he frowningly?HORATIOFTLN 0437A countenance more in sorrow than in anger.HAMLETFTLN 0438Pale or red?HORATIOFTLN 0439Nay, very pale.HAMLETFTLN 0440250And fixed his eyes upon you?HORATIOFTLN 0441Most constantly.HAMLETFTLN 0442I would I had been there.HORATIOFTLN 0443It would have much amazed you.HAMLETFTLN 0444Very like. Stayed it long?HORATIOFTLN 0445255While one with moderate haste might tell aFTLN 0446hundred.BARNARDO/MARCELLUSFTLN 0447Longer, longer.HORATIOFTLN 0448Not when I saw ’t.HAMLETFTLN 0449His beard was grizzled, no?HORATIOFTLN 0450260It was as I have seen it in his life,FTLN 0451A sable silvered.HAMLETFTLN 0452I will watch tonight.FTLN 0453Perchance ’twill walk again.HORATIOFTLN 0454I warrant it will.HAMLETFTLN 0455265If it assume my noble father’s person,FTLN 0456I’ll speak to it, though hell itself should gapeFTLN 0457And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all,FTLN 0458If you have hitherto concealed this sight,

LAERTESFTLN 0472My necessaries are embarked. Farewell.FTLN 0473And, sister, as the winds give benefitFTLN 0474And convey is assistant, do not sleep,FTLN 0475But let me hear from you.OPHELIAFTLN 04765Do you doubt that?LAERTESFTLN 0477For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favor,FTLN 0478Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood,FTLN 0479A violet in the youth of primy nature,FTLN 0480Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting,FTLN 048110The perfume and suppliance of a minute,FTLN 0482No more.OPHELIAFTLN 0483No more but so?LAERTESFTLN 0484Think it no more.

41

Hamlet

ACT 1. SC. 3

FTLN 0485For nature, crescent, does not grow aloneFTLN 048615In thews and bulk, but, as this temple waxes,FTLN 0487The inward service of the mind and soulFTLN 0488Grows wide withal. Perhaps he loves you now,FTLN 0489And now no soil nor cautel doth besmirchFTLN 0490The virtue of his will; but you must fear,FTLN 049120His greatness weighed, his will is not his own,FTLN 0492For he himself is subject to his birth.FTLN 0493He may not, as unvalued persons do,FTLN 0494Carve for himself, for on his choice dependsFTLN 0495The safety and the health of this whole state.FTLN 049625And therefore must his choice be circumscribedFTLN 0497Unto the voice and yielding of that bodyFTLN 0498Whereof he is the head. Then, if he says he lovesFTLN 0499you,FTLN 0500It fits your wisdom so far to believe itFTLN 050130As he in his particular act and placeFTLN 0502May give his saying deed, which is no furtherFTLN 0503Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal.FTLN 0504Then weigh what loss your honor may sustainFTLN 0505If with too credent ear you list his songsFTLN 050635Or lose your heart or your chaste treasure openFTLN 0507To his unmastered importunity.FTLN 0508Fear it, Ophelia; fear it, my dear sister,FTLN 0509And keep you in the rear of your affection,FTLN 0510Out of the shot and danger of desire.FTLN 051140The chariest maid is prodigal enoughFTLN 0512If she unmask her beauty to the moon.FTLN 0513Virtue itself ’scapes not calumnious strokes.FTLN 0514The canker galls the infants of the springFTLN 0515Too oft before their buttons be disclosed,FTLN 051645And, in the morn and liquid dew of youth,FTLN 0517Contagious blastments are most imminent.FTLN 0518Be wary, then; best safety lies in fear.FTLN 0519Youth to itself rebels, though none else near.OPHELIAFTLN 0520I shall the effect of this good lesson keep

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ACT 1. SC. 3

FTLN 052150As watchman to my heart. But, good my brother,FTLN 0522Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,FTLN 0523Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,FTLN 0524Whiles, like a puffed and reckless libertine,FTLN 0525Himself the primrose path of dalliance treadsFTLN 052655And recks not his own rede.LAERTESFTLN 0527O, fear me not.

Enter Polonius.

FTLN 0528I stay too long. But here my father comes.FTLN 0529A double blessing is a double grace.FTLN 0530Occasion smiles upon a second leave.POLONIUSFTLN 053160Yet here, Laertes? Aboard, aboard, for shame!FTLN 0532The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail,FTLN 0533And you are stayed for. There, my blessing withFTLN 0534thee.FTLN 0535And these few precepts in thy memoryFTLN 053665Look thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue,FTLN 0537Nor any unproportioned thought his act.FTLN 0538Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.FTLN 0539Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,FTLN 0540Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel,FTLN 054170But do not dull thy palm with entertainmentFTLN 0542Of each new-hatched, unfledged courage. BewareFTLN 0543Of entrance to a quarrel, but, being in,FTLN 0544Bear ’t that th’ opposèd may beware of thee.FTLN 0545Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.FTLN 054675Take each man’s censure, but reserve thy judgment.FTLN 0547Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,FTLN 0548But not expressed in fancy (rich, not gaudy),FTLN 0549For the apparel oft proclaims the man,FTLN 0550And they in France of the best rank and stationFTLN 055180Are of a most select and generous chief in that.FTLN 0552Neither a borrower nor a lender be,FTLN 0553For loan oft loses both itself and friend,

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ACT 1. SC. 3

FTLN 0554And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.FTLN 0555This above all: to thine own self be true,FTLN 055685And it must follow, as the night the day,FTLN 0557Thou canst not then be false to any man.FTLN 0558Farewell. My blessing season this in thee.LAERTESFTLN 0559Most humbly do I take my leave, my lord.POLONIUSFTLN 0560The time invests you. Go, your servants tend.LAERTESFTLN 056190Farewell, Ophelia, and remember wellFTLN 0562What I have said to you.OPHELIAFTLN 0563’Tis in my memory locked,FTLN 0564And you yourself shall keep the key of it.LAERTESFTLN 0565Farewell.Laertes exits.POLONIUSFTLN 056695What is ’t, Ophelia, he hath said to you?OPHELIAFTLN 0567So please you, something touching the LordFTLN 0568Hamlet.POLONIUSFTLN 0569Marry, well bethought.FTLN 0570’Tis told me he hath very oft of lateFTLN 0571100Given private time to you, and you yourselfFTLN 0572Have of your audience been most free andFTLN 0573bounteous.FTLN 0574If it be so (as so ’tis put on me,FTLN 0575And that in way of caution), I must tell youFTLN 0576105You do not understand yourself so clearlyFTLN 0577As it behooves my daughter and your honor.FTLN 0578What is between you? Give me up the truth.OPHELIAFTLN 0579He hath, my lord, of late made many tendersFTLN 0580Of his affection to me.POLONIUSFTLN 0581110Affection, puh! You speak like a green girlFTLN 0582Unsifted in such perilous circumstance.FTLN 0583Do you believe his “tenders,” as you call them?

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ACT 1. SC. 3

OPHELIAFTLN 0584I do not know, my lord, what I should think.POLONIUSFTLN 0585Marry, I will teach you. Think yourself a babyFTLN 0586115That you have ta’en these tenders for true pay,FTLN 0587Which are not sterling. Tender yourself more dearly,FTLN 0588Or (not to crack the wind of the poor phrase,FTLN 0589Running it thus) you’ll tender me a fool.OPHELIAFTLN 0590My lord, he hath importuned me with loveFTLN 0591120In honorable fashion—POLONIUSFTLN 0592Ay, “fashion” you may call it. Go to, go to!OPHELIAFTLN 0593And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord,FTLN 0594With almost all the holy vows of heaven.POLONIUSFTLN 0595Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know,FTLN 0596125When the blood burns, how prodigal the soulFTLN 0597Lends the tongue vows. These blazes, daughter,FTLN 0598Giving more light than heat, extinct in bothFTLN 0599Even in their promise as it is a-making,FTLN 0600You must not take for fire. From this timeFTLN 0601130Be something scanter of your maiden presence.FTLN 0602Set your entreatments at a higher rateFTLN 0603Than a command to parle. For Lord Hamlet,FTLN 0604Believe so much in him that he is young,FTLN 0605And with a larger tether may he walkFTLN 0606135Than may be given you. In few, Ophelia,FTLN 0607Do not believe his vows, for they are brokers,FTLN 0608Not of that dye which their investments show,FTLN 0609But mere implorators of unholy suits,FTLN 0610Breathing like sanctified and pious bawdsFTLN 0611140The better to beguile. This is for all:FTLN 0612I would not, in plain terms, from this time forthFTLN 0613Have you so slander any moment leisure

HAMLETFTLN 0617The air bites shrewdly; it is very cold.HORATIOFTLN 0618It is a nipping and an eager air.HAMLETFTLN 0619What hour now?HORATIOFTLN 0620I think it lacks of twelve.MARCELLUSFTLN 06215No, it is struck.HORATIOFTLN 0622Indeed, I heard it not. It then draws near the seasonFTLN 0623Wherein the spirit held his wont to walk.A flourish of trumpets and two pieces goes off.FTLN 0624What does this mean, my lord?HAMLETFTLN 0625The King doth wake tonight and takes his rouse,FTLN 062610Keeps wassail, and the swagg’ring upspring reels;FTLN 0627And, as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down,FTLN 0628The kettledrum and trumpet thus bray outFTLN 0629The triumph of his pledge.HORATIOFTLN 0630Is it a custom?HAMLETFTLN 063115Ay, marry, is ’t,FTLN 0632But, to my mind, though I am native hereFTLN 0633And to the manner born, it is a customFTLN 0634More honored in the breach than the observance.FTLN 0635This heavy-headed revel east and westFTLN 063620Makes us traduced and taxed of other nations.FTLN 0637They clepe us drunkards and with swinish phraseFTLN 0638Soil our addition. And, indeed, it takes

51

Hamlet

ACT 1. SC. 4

FTLN 0639From our achievements, though performed atFTLN 0640height,FTLN 064125The pith and marrow of our attribute.FTLN 0642So oft it chances in particular menFTLN 0643That for some vicious mole of nature in them,FTLN 0644As in their birth (wherein they are not guilty,FTLN 0645Since nature cannot choose his origin),FTLN 064630By the o’ergrowth of some complexionFTLN 0647(Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason),FTLN 0648Or by some habit that too much o’erleavensFTLN 0649The form of plausive manners—that these men,FTLN 0650Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect,FTLN 065135Being nature’s livery or fortune’s star,FTLN 0652His virtues else, be they as pure as grace,FTLN 0653As infinite as man may undergo,FTLN 0654Shall in the general censure take corruptionFTLN 0655From that particular fault. The dram of evilFTLN 065640Doth all the noble substance of a doubtFTLN 0657To his own scandal.

FTLN 0672To cast thee up again. What may this meanFTLN 0673That thou, dead corse, again in complete steel,FTLN 0674Revisits thus the glimpses of the moon,FTLN 0675Making night hideous, and we fools of natureFTLN 067660So horridly to shake our dispositionFTLN 0677With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls?FTLN 0678Say, why is this? Wherefore? What should we do?Ghost beckons.HORATIOFTLN 0679It beckons you to go away with itFTLN 0680As if it some impartment did desireFTLN 068165To you alone.MARCELLUSFTLN 0682Look with what courteous actionFTLN 0683It waves you to a more removèd ground.FTLN 0684But do not go with it.HORATIOFTLN 0685No, by no means.HAMLETFTLN 068670It will not speak. Then I will follow it.HORATIOFTLN 0687Do not, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 0688Why, what should be the fear?FTLN 0689I do not set my life at a pin’s fee.FTLN 0690And for my soul, what can it do to that,FTLN 069175Being a thing immortal as itself?FTLN 0692It waves me forth again. I’ll follow it.HORATIOFTLN 0693What if it tempt you toward the flood, my lord?FTLN 0694Or to the dreadful summit of the cliffFTLN 0695That beetles o’er his base into the sea,FTLN 069680And there assume some other horrible formFTLN 0697Which might deprive your sovereignty of reasonFTLN 0698And draw you into madness? Think of it.FTLN 0699The very place puts toys of desperation,FTLN 0700Without more motive, into every brainFTLN 070185That looks so many fathoms to the seaFTLN 0702And hears it roar beneath.

HAMLETFTLN 0722I will.GHOSTFTLN 07235My hour is almost comeFTLN 0724When I to sulf’rous and tormenting flamesFTLN 0725Must render up myself.HAMLETFTLN 0726Alas, poor ghost!GHOSTFTLN 0727Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearingFTLN 072810To what I shall unfold.HAMLETFTLN 0729Speak. I am bound to hear.GHOSTFTLN 0730So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear.HAMLETFTLN 0731What?GHOSTFTLN 0732I am thy father’s spirit,FTLN 073315Doomed for a certain term to walk the nightFTLN 0734And for the day confined to fast in firesFTLN 0735Till the foul crimes done in my days of natureFTLN 0736Are burnt and purged away. But that I am forbidFTLN 0737To tell the secrets of my prison house,FTLN 073820I could a tale unfold whose lightest wordFTLN 0739Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood,FTLN 0740Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from theirFTLN 0741spheres,FTLN 0742Thy knotted and combinèd locks to part,FTLN 074325And each particular hair to stand an end,FTLN 0744Like quills upon the fearful porpentine.FTLN 0745But this eternal blazon must not beFTLN 0746To ears of flesh and blood. List, list, O list!FTLN 0747If thou didst ever thy dear father love—HAMLETFTLN 074830O God!GHOSTFTLN 0749Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.HAMLETFTLN 0750Murder?GHOSTFTLN 0751Murder most foul, as in the best it is,FTLN 0752But this most foul, strange, and unnatural.HAMLETFTLN 075335Haste me to know ’t, that I, with wings as swift

59

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ACT 1. SC. 5

FTLN 0754As meditation or the thoughts of love,FTLN 0755May sweep to my revenge.GHOSTFTLN 0756I find thee apt;FTLN 0757And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weedFTLN 075840That roots itself in ease on Lethe wharf,FTLN 0759Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear.FTLN 0760’Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard,FTLN 0761A serpent stung me. So the whole ear of DenmarkFTLN 0762Is by a forgèd process of my deathFTLN 076345Rankly abused. But know, thou noble youth,FTLN 0764The serpent that did sting thy father’s lifeFTLN 0765Now wears his crown.HAMLETFTLN 0766O, my prophetic soul! My uncle!GHOSTFTLN 0767Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast,FTLN 076850With witchcraft of his wits, with traitorous gifts—FTLN 0769O wicked wit and gifts, that have the powerFTLN 0770So to seduce!—won to his shameful lustFTLN 0771The will of my most seeming-virtuous queen.FTLN 0772O Hamlet, what a falling off was there!FTLN 077355From me, whose love was of that dignityFTLN 0774That it went hand in hand even with the vowFTLN 0775I made to her in marriage, and to declineFTLN 0776Upon a wretch whose natural gifts were poorFTLN 0777To those of mine.FTLN 077860But virtue, as it never will be moved,FTLN 0779Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven,FTLN 0780So, lust, though to a radiant angel linked,FTLN 0781Will sate itself in a celestial bedFTLN 0782And prey on garbage.FTLN 078365But soft, methinks I scent the morning air.FTLN 0784Brief let me be. Sleeping within my orchard,FTLN 0785My custom always of the afternoon,FTLN 0786Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole,FTLN 0787With juice of cursèd hebona in a vialFTLN 078870And in the porches of my ears did pour

FTLN 0824I’ll wipe away all trivial, fond records,FTLN 0825All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past,FTLN 0826That youth and observation copied there,FTLN 0827And thy commandment all alone shall liveFTLN 0828110Within the book and volume of my brain,FTLN 0829Unmixed with baser matter. Yes, by heaven!FTLN 0830O most pernicious woman!FTLN 0831O villain, villain, smiling, damnèd villain!FTLN 0832My tables—meet it is I set it downFTLN 0833115That one may smile and smile and be a villain.FTLN 0834At least I am sure it may be so in Denmark.He writes.FTLN 0835So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word.FTLN 0836It is “adieu, adieu, remember me.”FTLN 0837I have sworn ’t.

HORATIO/MARCELLUSFTLN 0854 Ay, by heaven, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 0855There’s never a villain dwelling in all DenmarkFTLN 0856But he’s an arrant knave.HORATIOFTLN 0857There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the graveFTLN 0858140To tell us this.HAMLETFTLN 0859Why, right, you are in the right.FTLN 0860And so, without more circumstance at all,FTLN 0861I hold it fit that we shake hands and part,FTLN 0862You, as your business and desire shall point youFTLN 0863145(For every man hath business and desire,FTLN 0864Such as it is), and for my own poor part,FTLN 0865I will go pray.HORATIOFTLN 0866These are but wild and whirling words, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 0867I am sorry they offend you, heartily;FTLN 0868150Yes, faith, heartily.HORATIOFTLN 0869There’s no offense, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 0870Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio,FTLN 0871And much offense, too. Touching this vision here,FTLN 0872It is an honest ghost—that let me tell you.FTLN 0873155For your desire to know what is between us,FTLN 0874O’ermaster ’t as you may. And now, good friends,FTLN 0875As you are friends, scholars, and soldiers,FTLN 0876Give me one poor request.HORATIOFTLN 0877What is ’t, my lord? We will.HAMLETFTLN 0878160Never make known what you have seen tonight.HORATIO/MARCELLUSFTLN 0879 My lord, we will not.HAMLETFTLN 0880Nay, but swear ’t.HORATIOFTLN 0881In faith, my lord, not I.MARCELLUSFTLN 0882Nor I, my lord, in faith.HAMLETFTLN 0883165Upon my sword.

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MARCELLUSFTLN 0884We have sworn, my lord, already.HAMLETFTLN 0885Indeed, upon my sword, indeed.GHOST cries under the stageFTLN 0886Swear.HAMLETFTLN 0887Ha, ha, boy, sayst thou so? Art thou there,FTLN 0888170truepenny?FTLN 0889Come on, you hear this fellow in the cellarage.FTLN 0890Consent to swear.HORATIOFTLN 0891Propose the oath, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 0892Never to speak of this that you have seen,FTLN 0893175Swear by my sword.GHOST, beneathFTLN 0894Swear.HAMLETFTLN 0895Hic et ubique? Then we’ll shift our ground.FTLN 0896Come hither, gentlemen,FTLN 0897And lay your hands again upon my sword.FTLN 0898180Swear by my swordFTLN 0899Never to speak of this that you have heard.GHOST, beneathFTLN 0900Swear by his sword.HAMLETFTLN 0901Well said, old mole. Canst work i’ th’ earth so fast?—FTLN 0902A worthy pioner! Once more remove, good friends.HORATIOFTLN 0903185O day and night, but this is wondrous strange.HAMLETFTLN 0904And therefore as a stranger give it welcome.FTLN 0905There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,FTLN 0906Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. But come.FTLN 0907Here, as before, never, so help you mercy,FTLN 0908190How strange or odd some’er I bear myselfFTLN 0909(As I perchance hereafter shall think meetFTLN 0910To put an antic disposition on)FTLN 0911That you, at such times seeing me, never shall,FTLN 0912With arms encumbered thus, or this headshake,FTLN 0913195Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase,

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ACT 1. SC. 5

FTLN 0914As “Well, well, we know,” or “We could an if weFTLN 0915would,”FTLN 0916Or “If we list to speak,” or “There be an if theyFTLN 0917might,”FTLN 0918200Or such ambiguous giving-out, to noteFTLN 0919That you know aught of me—this do swear,FTLN 0920So grace and mercy at your most need help you.GHOST, beneathFTLN 0921Swear.HAMLETFTLN 0922Rest, rest, perturbèd spirit.—So, gentlemen,FTLN 0923205With all my love I do commend me to you,FTLN 0924And what so poor a man as Hamlet isFTLN 0925May do t’ express his love and friending to you,FTLN 0926God willing, shall not lack. Let us go in together,FTLN 0927And still your fingers on your lips, I pray.FTLN 0928210The time is out of joint. O cursèd spiteFTLN 0929That ever I was born to set it right!FTLN 0930Nay, come, let’s go together.They exit.

ACT2

Scene1

Enter old Polonius with his man Reynaldo.

POLONIUSFTLN 0931Give him this money and these notes, Reynaldo.REYNALDOFTLN 0932I will, my lord.POLONIUSFTLN 0933You shall do marvelous wisely, good Reynaldo,FTLN 0934Before you visit him, to make inquireFTLN 09355Of his behavior.REYNALDOFTLN 0936My lord, I did intend it.POLONIUSFTLN 0937Marry, well said, very well said. Look you, sir,FTLN 0938Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris;FTLN 0939And how, and who, what means, and where theyFTLN 094010keep,FTLN 0941What company, at what expense; and findingFTLN 0942By this encompassment and drift of questionFTLN 0943That they do know my son, come you more nearerFTLN 0944Than your particular demands will touch it.FTLN 094515Take you, as ’twere, some distant knowledge of him,FTLN 0946As thus: “I know his father and his friendsFTLN 0947And, in part, him.” Do you mark this, Reynaldo?REYNALDOFTLN 0948Ay, very well, my lord.POLONIUSFTLN 0949“And, in part, him, but,” you may say, “not well.

73

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FTLN 095020But if ’t be he I mean, he’s very wild,FTLN 0951Addicted so and so.” And there put on himFTLN 0952What forgeries you please—marry, none so rankFTLN 0953As may dishonor him, take heed of that,FTLN 0954But, sir, such wanton, wild, and usual slipsFTLN 095525As are companions noted and most knownFTLN 0956To youth and liberty.REYNALDOFTLN 0957As gaming, my lord.POLONIUSFTLN 0958Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing,FTLN 0959Quarreling, drabbing—you may go so far.REYNALDOFTLN 096030My lord, that would dishonor him.POLONIUSFTLN 0961Faith, no, as you may season it in the charge.FTLN 0962You must not put another scandal on himFTLN 0963That he is open to incontinency;FTLN 0964That’s not my meaning. But breathe his faults soFTLN 096535quaintlyFTLN 0966That they may seem the taints of liberty,FTLN 0967The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind,FTLN 0968A savageness in unreclaimèd blood,FTLN 0969Of general assault.REYNALDOFTLN 097040But, my good lord—POLONIUSFTLN 0971Wherefore should you do this?REYNALDOFTLN 0972Ay, my lord, I would know that.POLONIUSFTLN 0973Marry, sir, here’s my drift,FTLN 0974And I believe it is a fetch of wit.FTLN 097545You, laying these slight sullies on my son,FTLN 0976As ’twere a thing a little soiled i’ th’ working,FTLN 0977Mark you, your party in converse, him you wouldFTLN 0978sound,FTLN 0979Having ever seen in the prenominate crimesFTLN 098050The youth you breathe of guilty, be assuredFTLN 0981He closes with you in this consequence:FTLN 0982“Good sir,” or so, or “friend,” or “gentleman,”FTLN 0983According to the phrase or the additionFTLN 0984Of man and country—

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REYNALDOFTLN 098555Very good, my lord.POLONIUSFTLN 0986And then, sir, does he this, he does—whatFTLN 0987was I about to say? By the Mass, I was about to sayFTLN 0988something. Where did I leave?REYNALDOFTLN 0989At “closes in the consequence,” at “friend,FTLN 099060or so,” and “gentleman.”POLONIUSFTLN 0991At “closes in the consequence”—ay, marry—FTLN 0992He closes thus: “I know the gentleman.FTLN 0993I saw him yesterday,” or “th’ other day”FTLN 0994(Or then, or then, with such or such), “and as youFTLN 099565say,FTLN 0996There was he gaming, there o’ertook in ’s rouse,FTLN 0997There falling out at tennis”; or perchanceFTLN 0998“I saw him enter such a house of sale”—FTLN 0999Videlicet, a brothel—or so forth. See you nowFTLN 100070Your bait of falsehood take this carp of truth;FTLN 1001And thus do we of wisdom and of reach,FTLN 1002With windlasses and with assays of bias,FTLN 1003By indirections find directions out.FTLN 1004So by my former lecture and adviceFTLN 100575Shall you my son. You have me, have you not?REYNALDOFTLN 1006My lord, I have.POLONIUSFTLN 1007God be wi’ you. Fare you well.REYNALDOFTLN 1008Good my lord.POLONIUSFTLN 1009Observe his inclination in yourself.REYNALDOFTLN 101080I shall, my lord.POLONIUSFTLN 1011And let him ply his music.REYNALDOFTLN 1012Well, my lord.POLONIUSFTLN 1013Farewell.Reynaldo exits.

Enter Ophelia.

FTLN 1014How now, Ophelia, what’s the matter?

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ACT 2. SC. 1

OPHELIAFTLN 101585O, my lord, my lord, I have been so affrighted!POLONIUSFTLN 1016With what, i’ th’ name of God?OPHELIAFTLN 1017My lord, as I was sewing in my closet,FTLN 1018Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced,FTLN 1019No hat upon his head, his stockings fouled,FTLN 102090Ungartered, and down-gyvèd to his ankle,FTLN 1021Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other,FTLN 1022And with a look so piteous in purportFTLN 1023As if he had been loosèd out of hellFTLN 1024To speak of horrors—he comes before me.POLONIUSFTLN 102595Mad for thy love?OPHELIAFTLN 1026My lord, I do not know,FTLN 1027But truly I do fear it.POLONIUSFTLN 1028What said he?OPHELIAFTLN 1029He took me by the wrist and held me hard.FTLN 1030100Then goes he to the length of all his arm,FTLN 1031And, with his other hand thus o’er his brow,FTLN 1032He falls to such perusal of my faceFTLN 1033As he would draw it. Long stayed he so.FTLN 1034At last, a little shaking of mine arm,FTLN 1035105And thrice his head thus waving up and down,FTLN 1036He raised a sigh so piteous and profoundFTLN 1037As it did seem to shatter all his bulkFTLN 1038And end his being. That done, he lets me go,FTLN 1039And, with his head over his shoulder turned,FTLN 1040110He seemed to find his way without his eyes,FTLN 1041For out o’ doors he went without their helpsFTLN 1042And to the last bended their light on me.POLONIUSFTLN 1043Come, go with me. I will go seek the King.FTLN 1044This is the very ecstasy of love,FTLN 1045115Whose violent property fordoes itself

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FTLN 1046And leads the will to desperate undertakingsFTLN 1047As oft as any passions under heavenFTLN 1048That does afflict our natures. I am sorry.FTLN 1049What, have you given him any hard words of late?OPHELIAFTLN 1050120No, my good lord, but as you did commandFTLN 1051I did repel his letters and deniedFTLN 1052His access to me.POLONIUSFTLN 1053That hath made him mad.FTLN 1054I am sorry that with better heed and judgmentFTLN 1055125I had not coted him. I feared he did but trifleFTLN 1056And meant to wrack thee. But beshrew my jealousy!FTLN 1057By heaven, it is as proper to our ageFTLN 1058To cast beyond ourselves in our opinionsFTLN 1059As it is common for the younger sortFTLN 1060130To lack discretion. Come, go we to the King.FTLN 1061This must be known, which, being kept close, mightFTLN 1062moveFTLN 1063More grief to hide than hate to utter love.FTLN 1064Come.They exit.

Scene2

Flourish. Enter King and Queen, Rosencrantz andGuildenstern and Attendants.

KINGFTLN 1065Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.FTLN 1066Moreover that we much did long to see you,FTLN 1067The need we have to use you did provokeFTLN 1068Our hasty sending. Something have you heardFTLN 10695Of Hamlet’s transformation, so call it,FTLN 1070Sith nor th’ exterior nor the inward manFTLN 1071Resembles that it was. What it should be,FTLN 1072More than his father’s death, that thus hath put him

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FTLN 1073So much from th’ understanding of himselfFTLN 107410I cannot dream of. I entreat you bothFTLN 1075That, being of so young days brought up with himFTLN 1076And sith so neighbored to his youth and havior,FTLN 1077That you vouchsafe your rest here in our courtFTLN 1078Some little time, so by your companiesFTLN 107915To draw him on to pleasures, and to gatherFTLN 1080So much as from occasion you may glean,FTLN 1081Whether aught to us unknown afflicts him thusFTLN 1082That, opened, lies within our remedy.QUEENFTLN 1083Good gentlemen, he hath much talked of you,FTLN 108420And sure I am two men there is not livingFTLN 1085To whom he more adheres. If it will please youFTLN 1086To show us so much gentry and goodwillFTLN 1087As to expend your time with us awhileFTLN 1088For the supply and profit of our hope,FTLN 108925Your visitation shall receive such thanksFTLN 1090As fits a king’s remembrance.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1091Both your MajestiesFTLN 1092Might, by the sovereign power you have of us,FTLN 1093Put your dread pleasures more into commandFTLN 109430Than to entreaty.GUILDENSTERNFTLN 1095But we both obey,FTLN 1096And here give up ourselves in the full bentFTLN 1097To lay our service freely at your feet,FTLN 1098To be commanded.KINGFTLN 109935Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern.QUEENFTLN 1100Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz.FTLN 1101And I beseech you instantly to visitFTLN 1102My too much changèd son.—Go, some of you,FTLN 1103And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is.GUILDENSTERNFTLN 110440Heavens make our presence and our practicesFTLN 1105Pleasant and helpful to him!

POLONIUSFTLN 1107Th’ ambassadors from Norway, my good lord,FTLN 1108Are joyfully returned.KINGFTLN 110945Thou still hast been the father of good news.POLONIUSFTLN 1110Have I, my lord? I assure my good liegeFTLN 1111I hold my duty as I hold my soul,FTLN 1112Both to my God and to my gracious king,FTLN 1113And I do think, or else this brain of mineFTLN 111450Hunts not the trail of policy so sureFTLN 1115As it hath used to do, that I have foundFTLN 1116The very cause of Hamlet’s lunacy.KINGFTLN 1117O, speak of that! That do I long to hear.POLONIUSFTLN 1118Give first admittance to th’ ambassadors.FTLN 111955My news shall be the fruit to that great feast.KINGFTLN 1120Thyself do grace to them and bring them in.Polonius exits.FTLN 1121He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath foundFTLN 1122The head and source of all your son’s distemper.QUEENFTLN 1123I doubt it is no other but the main—FTLN 112460His father’s death and our o’erhasty marriage.KINGFTLN 1125Well, we shall sift him.

Enter Ambassadors Voltemand and Cornelius withPolonius.

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FTLN 1126Welcome, my good friends.FTLN 1127Say, Voltemand, what from our brother Norway?VOLTEMANDFTLN 1128Most fair return of greetings and desires.FTLN 112965Upon our first, he sent out to suppressFTLN 1130His nephew’s levies, which to him appearedFTLN 1131To be a preparation ’gainst the Polack,FTLN 1132But, better looked into, he truly foundFTLN 1133It was against your Highness. Whereat, grievedFTLN 113470That so his sickness, age, and impotenceFTLN 1135Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrestsFTLN 1136On Fortinbras, which he, in brief, obeys,FTLN 1137Receives rebuke from Norway, and, in fine,FTLN 1138Makes vow before his uncle never moreFTLN 113975To give th’ assay of arms against your Majesty.FTLN 1140Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy,FTLN 1141Gives him three-score thousand crowns in annualFTLN 1142feeFTLN 1143And his commission to employ those soldiers,FTLN 114480So levied as before, against the Polack,FTLN 1145With an entreaty, herein further shown,He gives a paper.FTLN 1146That it might please you to give quiet passFTLN 1147Through your dominions for this enterprise,FTLN 1148On such regards of safety and allowanceFTLN 114985As therein are set down.KINGFTLN 1150It likes us well,FTLN 1151And, at our more considered time, we’ll read,FTLN 1152Answer, and think upon this business.FTLN 1153Meantime, we thank you for your well-took labor.FTLN 115490Go to your rest. At night we’ll feast together.FTLN 1155Most welcome home!Voltemand and Cornelius exit.POLONIUSFTLN 1156This business is well ended.FTLN 1157My liege, and madam, to expostulateFTLN 1158What majesty should be, what duty is,

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FTLN 115995Why day is day, night night, and time is timeFTLN 1160Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time.FTLN 1161Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,FTLN 1162And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,FTLN 1163I will be brief. Your noble son is mad.FTLN 1164100“Mad” call I it, for, to define true madness,FTLN 1165What is ’t but to be nothing else but mad?FTLN 1166But let that go.QUEENFTLN 1167More matter with less art.POLONIUSFTLN 1168Madam, I swear I use no art at all.FTLN 1169105That he’s mad, ’tis true; ’tis true ’tis pity,FTLN 1170And pity ’tis ’tis true—a foolish figure,FTLN 1171But farewell it, for I will use no art.FTLN 1172Mad let us grant him then, and now remainsFTLN 1173That we find out the cause of this effect,FTLN 1174110Or, rather say, the cause of this defect,FTLN 1175For this effect defective comes by cause.FTLN 1176Thus it remains, and the remainder thus.FTLN 1177Perpend.FTLN 1178I have a daughter (have while she is mine)FTLN 1179115Who, in her duty and obedience, mark,FTLN 1180Hath given me this. Now gather and surmise.FTLN 1181He reads.To the celestial, and my soul’s idol, theFTLN 1182most beautified Ophelia—FTLN 1183That’s an ill phrase, a vile phrase; “beautified” is aFTLN 1184120vile phrase. But you shall hear. Thus:He reads.FTLN 1185In her excellent white bosom, these, etc.—QUEENFTLN 1186Came this from Hamlet to her?POLONIUSFTLN 1187Good madam, stay awhile. I will be faithful.He reads the letter.FTLN 1188Doubt thou the stars are fire,FTLN 1189125Doubt that the sun doth move,FTLN 1190Doubt truth to be a liar,FTLN 1191But never doubt I love.

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FTLN 1192O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers. I have notFTLN 1193art to reckon my groans, but that I love thee best, OFTLN 1194130most best, believe it. Adieu.FTLN 1195Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilstFTLN 1196this machine is to him, Hamlet.FTLN 1197This, in obedience, hath my daughter shown me,FTLN 1198And more above, hath his solicitings,FTLN 1199135As they fell out by time, by means, and place,FTLN 1200All given to mine ear.KINGFTLN 1201But how hath she received his love?POLONIUSFTLN 1202What do you think of me?KINGFTLN 1203As of a man faithful and honorable.POLONIUSFTLN 1204140I would fain prove so. But what might you think,FTLN 1205When I had seen this hot love on the wingFTLN 1206(As I perceived it, I must tell you that,FTLN 1207Before my daughter told me), what might you,FTLN 1208Or my dear Majesty your queen here, think,FTLN 1209145If I had played the desk or table-bookFTLN 1210Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb,FTLN 1211Or looked upon this love with idle sight?FTLN 1212What might you think? No, I went round to work,FTLN 1213And my young mistress thus I did bespeak:FTLN 1214150“Lord Hamlet is a prince, out of thy star.FTLN 1215This must not be.” And then I prescripts gave her,FTLN 1216That she should lock herself from his resort,FTLN 1217Admit no messengers, receive no tokens;FTLN 1218Which done, she took the fruits of my advice,FTLN 1219155And he, repelled (a short tale to make),FTLN 1220Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,FTLN 1221Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,FTLN 1222Thence to a lightness, and, by this declension,FTLN 1223Into the madness wherein now he ravesFTLN 1224160And all we mourn for.KING, to QueenFTLN 1225Do you think ’tis this?

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QUEENFTLN 1226It may be, very like.POLONIUSFTLN 1227Hath there been such a time (I would fain knowFTLN 1228that)FTLN 1229165That I have positively said “’Tis so,”FTLN 1230When it proved otherwise?KINGFTLN 1231Not that I know.POLONIUSFTLN 1232Take this from this, if this be otherwise.FTLN 1233If circumstances lead me, I will findFTLN 1234170Where truth is hid, though it were hid, indeed,FTLN 1235Within the center.KINGFTLN 1236How may we try it further?POLONIUSFTLN 1237You know sometimes he walks four hours togetherFTLN 1238Here in the lobby.QUEENFTLN 1239175So he does indeed.POLONIUSFTLN 1240At such a time I’ll loose my daughter to him.FTLN 1241To the King.Be you and I behind an arras then.FTLN 1242Mark the encounter. If he love her not,FTLN 1243And be not from his reason fall’n thereon,FTLN 1244180Let me be no assistant for a state,FTLN 1245But keep a farm and carters.KINGFTLN 1246We will try it.

POLONIUSFTLN 1253Do you know me, my lord?HAMLETFTLN 1254190Excellent well. You are a fishmonger.POLONIUSFTLN 1255Not I, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 1256Then I would you were so honest a man.POLONIUSFTLN 1257Honest, my lord?HAMLETFTLN 1258Ay, sir. To be honest, as this world goes, is toFTLN 1259195be one man picked out of ten thousand.POLONIUSFTLN 1260That’s very true, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 1261For if the sun breed maggots in a deadFTLN 1262dog, being a good kissing carrion—Have you aFTLN 1263daughter?POLONIUSFTLN 1264200I have, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 1265Let her not walk i’ th’ sun. Conception is aFTLN 1266blessing, but, as your daughter may conceive,FTLN 1267friend, look to ’t.POLONIUS, asideFTLN 1268How say you by that? Still harping onFTLN 1269205my daughter. Yet he knew me not at first; he said IFTLN 1270was a fishmonger. He is far gone. And truly, in myFTLN 1271youth, I suffered much extremity for love, very nearFTLN 1272this. I’ll speak to him again.—What do you read, myFTLN 1273lord?HAMLETFTLN 1274210Words, words, words.POLONIUSFTLN 1275What is the matter, my lord?HAMLETFTLN 1276Between who?POLONIUSFTLN 1277I mean the matter that you read, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 1278Slanders, sir; for the satirical rogue says hereFTLN 1279215that old men have gray beards, that their faces areFTLN 1280wrinkled, their eyes purging thick amber andFTLN 1281plum-tree gum, and that they have a plentiful lack ofFTLN 1282wit, together with most weak hams; all which, sir,FTLN 1283though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet IFTLN 1284220hold it not honesty to have it thus set down; forFTLN 1285yourself, sir, shall grow old as I am, if, like a crab,FTLN 1286you could go backward.POLONIUS, asideFTLN 1287Though this be madness, yet there isFTLN 1288method in ’t.—Will you walk out of the air, my lord?

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HAMLETFTLN 1289225Into my grave?POLONIUSFTLN 1290Indeed, that’s out of the air.Aside. HowFTLN 1291pregnant sometimes his replies are! A happinessFTLN 1292that often madness hits on, which reason andFTLN 1293sanity could not so prosperously be delivered of. IFTLN 1294230will leave him and suddenly contrive the means ofFTLN 1295meeting between him and my daughter.—My lord,FTLN 1296I will take my leave of you.HAMLETFTLN 1297You cannot, sir, take from me anything that IFTLN 1298will more willingly part withal—except my life,FTLN 1299235except my life, except my life.POLONIUSFTLN 1300Fare you well, my lord.HAMLET, asideFTLN 1301These tedious old fools.

Enter Guildenstern and Rosencrantz.

POLONIUSFTLN 1302You go to seek the Lord Hamlet. There he is.ROSENCRANTZ, to PoloniusFTLN 1303God save you, sir.Polonius exits.GUILDENSTERNFTLN 1304240My honored lord.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1305My most dear lord.HAMLETFTLN 1306My excellent good friends! How dost thou,FTLN 1307Guildenstern? Ah, Rosencrantz! Good lads, how doFTLN 1308you both?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1309245As the indifferent children of the earth.GUILDENSTERNFTLN 1310Happy in that we are not overhappy.FTLN 1311On Fortune’s cap, we are not the very button.HAMLETFTLN 1312Nor the soles of her shoe?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1313Neither, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 1314250Then you live about her waist, or in theFTLN 1315middle of her favors?GUILDENSTERNFTLN 1316Faith, her privates we.HAMLETFTLN 1317In the secret parts of Fortune? O, most true!FTLN 1318She is a strumpet. What news?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1319255None, my lord, but that the world’sFTLN 1320grown honest.

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HAMLETFTLN 1321Then is doomsday near. But your news is notFTLN 1322true. Let me question more in particular. WhatFTLN 1323have you, my good friends, deserved at the hands ofFTLN 1324260Fortune that she sends you to prison hither?GUILDENSTERNFTLN 1325Prison, my lord?HAMLETFTLN 1326Denmark’s a prison.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1327Then is the world one.HAMLETFTLN 1328A goodly one, in which there are many confines,FTLN 1329265wards, and dungeons, Denmark being one o’FTLN 1330th’ worst.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1331We think not so, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 1332Why, then, ’tis none to you, for there isFTLN 1333nothing either good or bad but thinking makes itFTLN 1334270so. To me, it is a prison.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1335Why, then, your ambition makes it one.FTLN 1336’Tis too narrow for your mind.HAMLETFTLN 1337O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell andFTLN 1338count myself a king of infinite space, were it notFTLN 1339275that I have bad dreams.GUILDENSTERNFTLN 1340Which dreams, indeed, are ambition,FTLN 1341for the very substance of the ambitious is merelyFTLN 1342the shadow of a dream.HAMLETFTLN 1343A dream itself is but a shadow.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1344280Truly, and I hold ambition of so airyFTLN 1345and light a quality that it is but a shadow’s shadow.HAMLETFTLN 1346Then are our beggars bodies, and our monarchsFTLN 1347and outstretched heroes the beggars’ shadows.FTLN 1348Shall we to th’ court? For, by my fay, I cannotFTLN 1349285reason.ROSENCRANTZ/GUILDENSTERNFTLN 1350We’ll wait upon you.HAMLETFTLN 1351No such matter. I will not sort you with theFTLN 1352rest of my servants, for, to speak to you like anFTLN 1353honest man, I am most dreadfully attended. But,FTLN 1354290in the beaten way of friendship, what make you atFTLN 1355Elsinore?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1356To visit you, my lord, no other occasion.

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HAMLETFTLN 1357Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks;FTLN 1358but I thank you, and sure, dear friends, my thanksFTLN 1359295are too dear a halfpenny. Were you not sent for?FTLN 1360Is it your own inclining? Is it a free visitation?FTLN 1361Come, come, deal justly with me. Come, come; nay,FTLN 1362speak.GUILDENSTERNFTLN 1363What should we say, my lord?HAMLETFTLN 1364300Anything but to th’ purpose. You were sentFTLN 1365for, and there is a kind of confession in your looksFTLN 1366which your modesties have not craft enough toFTLN 1367color. I know the good king and queen have sent forFTLN 1368you.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1369305To what end, my lord?HAMLETFTLN 1370That you must teach me. But let me conjureFTLN 1371you by the rights of our fellowship, by the consonancyFTLN 1372of our youth, by the obligation of our ever-preservedFTLN 1373love, and by what more dear a betterFTLN 1374310proposer can charge you withal: be even and directFTLN 1375with me whether you were sent for or no.ROSENCRANTZ, to GuildensternFTLN 1376What say you?HAMLET, asideFTLN 1377Nay, then, I have an eye of you.—IfFTLN 1378you love me, hold not off.GUILDENSTERNFTLN 1379315My lord, we were sent for.HAMLETFTLN 1380I will tell you why; so shall my anticipationFTLN 1381prevent your discovery, and your secrecy to theFTLN 1382King and Queen molt no feather. I have of late, butFTLN 1383wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth, forgone allFTLN 1384320custom of exercises, and, indeed, it goes so heavilyFTLN 1385with my disposition that this goodly frame, theFTLN 1386Earth, seems to me a sterile promontory; this mostFTLN 1387excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave o’erhangingFTLN 1388firmament, this majestical roof, frettedFTLN 1389325with golden fire—why, it appeareth nothing to meFTLN 1390but a foul and pestilent congregation of vapors.FTLN 1391What a piece of work is a man, how noble inFTLN 1392reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving

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FTLN 1393how express and admirable; in action how likeFTLN 1394330an angel, in apprehension how like a god: theFTLN 1395beauty of the world, the paragon of animals—andFTLN 1396yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? ManFTLN 1397delights not me, no, nor women neither, though byFTLN 1398your smiling you seem to say so.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1399335My lord, there was no such stuff in myFTLN 1400thoughts.HAMLETFTLN 1401Why did you laugh, then, when I said “manFTLN 1402delights not me”?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1403To think, my lord, if you delight not inFTLN 1404340man, what Lenten entertainment the players shallFTLN 1405receive from you. We coted them on the way, andFTLN 1406hither are they coming to offer you service.HAMLETFTLN 1407He that plays the king shall be welcome—hisFTLN 1408Majesty shall have tribute on me. The adventurousFTLN 1409345knight shall use his foil and target, the lover shallFTLN 1410not sigh gratis, the humorous man shall end hisFTLN 1411part in peace, the clown shall make those laughFTLN 1412whose lungs are tickle o’ th’ sear, and the ladyFTLN 1413shall say her mind freely, or the blank verse shallFTLN 1414350halt for ’t. What players are they?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1415Even those you were wont to take suchFTLN 1416delight in, the tragedians of the city.HAMLETFTLN 1417How chances it they travel? Their residence,FTLN 1418both in reputation and profit, was better both ways.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1419355I think their inhibition comes by theFTLN 1420means of the late innovation.HAMLETFTLN 1421Do they hold the same estimation they didFTLN 1422when I was in the city? Are they so followed?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1423No, indeed are they not.HAMLETFTLN 1424360How comes it? Do they grow rusty?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1425Nay, their endeavor keeps in the wontedFTLN 1426pace. But there is, sir, an aerie of children, littleFTLN 1427eyases, that cry out on the top of question and areFTLN 1428most tyrannically clapped for ’t. These are now the

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FTLN 1429365fashion and so berattle the common stages (soFTLN 1430they call them) that many wearing rapiers are afraidFTLN 1431of goose quills and dare scarce come thither.HAMLETFTLN 1432What, are they children? Who maintains ’em?FTLN 1433How are they escoted? Will they pursue the qualityFTLN 1434370no longer than they can sing? Will they not sayFTLN 1435afterwards, if they should grow themselves to commonFTLN 1436players (as it is most like, if their means areFTLN 1437no better), their writers do them wrong to makeFTLN 1438them exclaim against their own succession?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1439375Faith, there has been much to-do onFTLN 1440both sides, and the nation holds it no sin to tarFTLN 1441them to controversy. There was for a while noFTLN 1442money bid for argument unless the poet and theFTLN 1443player went to cuffs in the question.HAMLETFTLN 1444380Is ’t possible?GUILDENSTERNFTLN 1445O, there has been much throwingFTLN 1446about of brains.HAMLETFTLN 1447Do the boys carry it away?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1448Ay, that they do, my lord—HerculesFTLN 1449385and his load too.HAMLETFTLN 1450It is not very strange; for my uncle is King ofFTLN 1451Denmark, and those that would make mouths atFTLN 1452him while my father lived give twenty, forty, fifty,FTLN 1453a hundred ducats apiece for his picture in little.FTLN 1454390’Sblood, there is something in this more than natural,FTLN 1455if philosophy could find it out.A flourish for the Players.GUILDENSTERNFTLN 1456There are the players.HAMLETFTLN 1457Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore.FTLN 1458Your hands, come then. Th’ appurtenance of welcomeFTLN 1459395is fashion and ceremony. Let me complyFTLN 1460with you in this garb, lest my extent to the players,FTLN 1461which, I tell you, must show fairly outwards, shouldFTLN 1462more appear like entertainment than yours. You areFTLN 1463welcome. But my uncle-father and aunt-mother areFTLN 1464400deceived.

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GUILDENSTERNFTLN 1465In what, my dear lord?HAMLETFTLN 1466I am but mad north-north-west. When theFTLN 1467wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.

Enter Polonius.

POLONIUSFTLN 1468Well be with you, gentlemen.HAMLETFTLN 1469405Hark you, Guildenstern, and you too—atFTLN 1470each ear a hearer! That great baby you see there isFTLN 1471not yet out of his swaddling clouts.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1472Haply he is the second time come toFTLN 1473them, for they say an old man is twice a child.HAMLETFTLN 1474410I will prophesy he comes to tell me of theFTLN 1475players; mark it.—You say right, sir, a MondayFTLN 1476morning, ’twas then indeed.POLONIUSFTLN 1477My lord, I have news to tell you.HAMLETFTLN 1478My lord, I have news to tell you: when RosciusFTLN 1479415was an actor in Rome—POLONIUSFTLN 1480The actors are come hither, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 1481Buzz, buzz.POLONIUSFTLN 1482Upon my honor—HAMLETFTLN 1483Then came each actor on his ass.POLONIUSFTLN 1484420The best actors in the world, either forFTLN 1485tragedy, comedy, history, pastoral, pastoral-comical,FTLN 1486historical-pastoral, tragical-historical,FTLN 1487tragical-comical-historical-pastoral, scene individable, orFTLN 1488poem unlimited. Seneca cannot be too heavy, norFTLN 1489425Plautus too light. For the law of writ and the liberty,FTLN 1490these are the only men.HAMLETFTLN 1491O Jephthah, judge of Israel, what a treasureFTLN 1492hadst thou!POLONIUSFTLN 1493What a treasure had he, my lord?HAMLETFTLN 1494430Why,FTLN 1495One fair daughter, and no more,FTLN 1496The which he lovèd passing well.POLONIUS, asideFTLN 1497Still on my daughter.HAMLETFTLN 1498Am I not i’ th’ right, old Jephthah?

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POLONIUSFTLN 1499435If you call me “Jephthah,” my lord: I have aFTLN 1500daughter that I love passing well.HAMLETFTLN 1501Nay, that follows not.POLONIUSFTLN 1502What follows then, my lord?HAMLETFTLN 1503Why,FTLN 1504440As by lot, God wotFTLN 1505and then, you know,FTLN 1506It came to pass, as most like it was—FTLN 1507the first row of the pious chanson will show youFTLN 1508more, for look where my abridgment comes.

Enter the Players.

FTLN 1509445You are welcome, masters; welcome all.—I am gladFTLN 1510to see thee well.—Welcome, good friends.—O myFTLN 1511old friend! Why, thy face is valanced since I saw theeFTLN 1512last. Com’st thou to beard me in Denmark?—What,FTLN 1513my young lady and mistress! By ’r Lady, your LadyshipFTLN 1514450is nearer to heaven than when I saw you last, byFTLN 1515the altitude of a chopine. Pray God your voice, like aFTLN 1516piece of uncurrent gold, be not cracked within theFTLN 1517ring. Masters, you are all welcome. We’ll e’en to ’tFTLN 1518like French falconers, fly at anything we see. We’llFTLN 1519455have a speech straight. Come, give us a taste of yourFTLN 1520quality. Come, a passionate speech.FIRST PLAYERFTLN 1521What speech, my good lord?HAMLETFTLN 1522I heard thee speak me a speech once, but itFTLN 1523was never acted, or, if it was, not above once; forFTLN 1524460the play, I remember, pleased not the million:FTLN 1525’twas caviary to the general. But it was (as IFTLN 1526received it, and others whose judgments in suchFTLN 1527matters cried in the top of mine) an excellent play,FTLN 1528well digested in the scenes, set down with as muchFTLN 1529465modesty as cunning. I remember one said thereFTLN 1530were no sallets in the lines to make the matterFTLN 1531savory, nor no matter in the phrase that might indictFTLN 1532the author of affection, but called it an honest

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FTLN 1533method, as wholesome as sweet and, by very much,FTLN 1534470more handsome than fine. One speech in ’t IFTLN 1535chiefly loved. ’Twas Aeneas’ tale to Dido, andFTLN 1536thereabout of it especially when he speaks ofFTLN 1537Priam’s slaughter. If it live in your memory, begin atFTLN 1538this line—let me see, let me see:FTLN 1539475The rugged Pyrrhus, like th’ Hyrcanian beast—FTLN 1540’tis not so; it begins with Pyrrhus:FTLN 1541The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose sable arms,FTLN 1542Black as his purpose, did the night resembleFTLN 1543When he lay couchèd in th’ ominous horse,FTLN 1544480Hath now this dread and black complexion smearedFTLN 1545With heraldry more dismal. Head to foot,FTLN 1546Now is he total gules, horridly trickedFTLN 1547With blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sons,FTLN 1548Baked and impasted with the parching streets,FTLN 1549485That lend a tyrannous and a damnèd lightFTLN 1550To their lord’s murder. Roasted in wrath and fire,FTLN 1551And thus o’ersizèd with coagulate gore,FTLN 1552With eyes like carbuncles, the hellish PyrrhusFTLN 1553Old grandsire Priam seeks.FTLN 1554490So, proceed you.POLONIUSFTLN 1555’Fore God, my lord, well spoken, with goodFTLN 1556accent and good discretion.FIRST PLAYERFTLN 1557Anon he finds himFTLN 1558Striking too short at Greeks. His antique sword,FTLN 1559495Rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls,FTLN 1560Repugnant to command. Unequal matched,FTLN 1561Pyrrhus at Priam drives, in rage strikes wide;FTLN 1562But with the whiff and wind of his fell swordFTLN 1563Th’ unnervèd father falls. Then senseless Ilium,FTLN 1564500Seeming to feel this blow, with flaming topFTLN 1565Stoops to his base, and with a hideous crashFTLN 1566Takes prisoner Pyrrhus’ ear. For lo, his sword,FTLN 1567Which was declining on the milky headFTLN 1568Of reverend Priam, seemed i’ th’ air to stick.

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FTLN 1569505So as a painted tyrant Pyrrhus stoodFTLN 1570And, like a neutral to his will and matter,FTLN 1571Did nothing.FTLN 1572But as we often see against some stormFTLN 1573A silence in the heavens, the rack stand still,FTLN 1574510The bold winds speechless, and the orb belowFTLN 1575As hush as death, anon the dreadful thunderFTLN 1576Doth rend the region; so, after Pyrrhus’ pause,FTLN 1577Arousèd vengeance sets him new a-work,FTLN 1578And never did the Cyclops’ hammers fallFTLN 1579515On Mars’s armor, forged for proof eterne,FTLN 1580With less remorse than Pyrrhus’ bleeding swordFTLN 1581Now falls on Priam.FTLN 1582Out, out, thou strumpet Fortune! All you godsFTLN 1583In general synod take away her power,FTLN 1584520Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel,FTLN 1585And bowl the round nave down the hill of heavenFTLN 1586As low as to the fiends!POLONIUSFTLN 1587This is too long.HAMLETFTLN 1588It shall to the barber’s with your beard.—FTLN 1589525Prithee say on. He’s for a jig or a tale of bawdry, orFTLN 1590he sleeps. Say on; come to Hecuba.FIRST PLAYERFTLN 1591But who, ah woe, had seen the moblèd queen—HAMLETFTLN 1592“The moblèd queen”?POLONIUSFTLN 1593That’s good. “Moblèd queen” is good.FIRST PLAYERFTLN 1594530Run barefoot up and down, threat’ning the flamesFTLN 1595With bisson rheum, a clout upon that headFTLN 1596Where late the diadem stood, and for a robe,FTLN 1597About her lank and all o’erteemèd loinsFTLN 1598A blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up—FTLN 1599535Who this had seen, with tongue in venom steeped,FTLN 1600’Gainst Fortune’s state would treason haveFTLN 1601pronounced.FTLN 1602But if the gods themselves did see her then

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FTLN 1603When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sportFTLN 1604540In mincing with his sword her husband’s limbs,FTLN 1605The instant burst of clamor that she madeFTLN 1606(Unless things mortal move them not at all)FTLN 1607Would have made milch the burning eyes of heavenFTLN 1608And passion in the gods.POLONIUSFTLN 1609545Look whe’er he has not turned his color andFTLN 1610has tears in ’s eyes. Prithee, no more.HAMLETFTLN 1611’Tis well. I’ll have thee speak out the rest ofFTLN 1612this soon.—Good my lord, will you see the playersFTLN 1613well bestowed? Do you hear, let them be well used,FTLN 1614550for they are the abstract and brief chronicles of theFTLN 1615time. After your death you were better have a badFTLN 1616epitaph than their ill report while you live.POLONIUSFTLN 1617My lord, I will use them according to theirFTLN 1618desert.HAMLETFTLN 1619555God’s bodykins, man, much better! Use everyFTLN 1620man after his desert and who shall ’scapeFTLN 1621whipping? Use them after your own honor andFTLN 1622dignity. The less they deserve, the more merit is inFTLN 1623your bounty. Take them in.POLONIUSFTLN 1624560Come, sirs.HAMLETFTLN 1625Follow him, friends. We’ll hear a playFTLN 1626tomorrow.As Polonius and Players exit,Hamlet speaks tothe First Player.FTLN 1627Dost thou hear me, old friend? CanFTLN 1628you play “The Murder of Gonzago”?FIRST PLAYERFTLN 1629565Ay, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 1630We’ll ha ’t tomorrow night. You could, for aFTLN 1631need, study a speech of some dozen or sixteenFTLN 1632lines, which I would set down and insert in ’t,FTLN 1633could you not?FIRST PLAYERFTLN 1634570Ay, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 1635Very well. Follow that lord—and look youFTLN 1636mock him not.First Player exits. My good friends,FTLN 1637I’ll leave you till night. You are welcome to Elsinore.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1638Good my lord.

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HAMLETFTLN 1639575Ay, so, good-bye to you.Rosencrantz and Guildenstern exit.FTLN 1640Now I am alone.FTLN 1641O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!FTLN 1642Is it not monstrous that this player here,FTLN 1643But in a fiction, in a dream of passion,FTLN 1644580Could force his soul so to his own conceitFTLN 1645That from her working all his visage wanned,FTLN 1646Tears in his eyes, distraction in his aspect,FTLN 1647A broken voice, and his whole function suitingFTLN 1648With forms to his conceit—and all for nothing!FTLN 1649585For Hecuba!FTLN 1650What’s Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,FTLN 1651That he should weep for her? What would he doFTLN 1652Had he the motive and the cue for passionFTLN 1653That I have? He would drown the stage with tearsFTLN 1654590And cleave the general ear with horrid speech,FTLN 1655Make mad the guilty and appall the free,FTLN 1656Confound the ignorant and amaze indeedFTLN 1657The very faculties of eyes and ears. Yet I,FTLN 1658A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peakFTLN 1659595Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,FTLN 1660And can say nothing—no, not for a kingFTLN 1661Upon whose property and most dear lifeFTLN 1662A damned defeat was made. Am I a coward?FTLN 1663Who calls me “villain”? breaks my pate across?FTLN 1664600Plucks off my beard and blows it in my face?FTLN 1665Tweaks me by the nose? gives me the lie i’ th’ throatFTLN 1666As deep as to the lungs? Who does me this?FTLN 1667Ha! ’Swounds, I should take it! For it cannot beFTLN 1668But I am pigeon-livered and lack gallFTLN 1669605To make oppression bitter, or ere thisFTLN 1670I should have fatted all the region kitesFTLN 1671With this slave’s offal. Bloody, bawdy villain!FTLN 1672Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindlessFTLN 1673villain!

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FTLN 1674610O vengeance!FTLN 1675Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave,FTLN 1676That I, the son of a dear father murdered,FTLN 1677Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,FTLN 1678Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with wordsFTLN 1679615And fall a-cursing like a very drab,FTLN 1680A stallion! Fie upon ’t! Foh!FTLN 1681About, my brains!—Hum, I have heardFTLN 1682That guilty creatures sitting at a playFTLN 1683Have, by the very cunning of the scene,FTLN 1684620Been struck so to the soul that presentlyFTLN 1685They have proclaimed their malefactions;FTLN 1686For murder, though it have no tongue, will speakFTLN 1687With most miraculous organ. I’ll have these playersFTLN 1688Play something like the murder of my fatherFTLN 1689625Before mine uncle. I’ll observe his looks;FTLN 1690I’ll tent him to the quick. If he do blench,FTLN 1691I know my course. The spirit that I have seenFTLN 1692May be a devil, and the devil hath powerFTLN 1693T’ assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps,FTLN 1694630Out of my weakness and my melancholy,FTLN 1695As he is very potent with such spirits,FTLN 1696Abuses me to damn me. I’ll have groundsFTLN 1697More relative than this. The play’s the thingFTLN 1698Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the King.He exits.

KINGFTLN 1699And can you by no drift of conferenceFTLN 1700Get from him why he puts on this confusion,FTLN 1701Grating so harshly all his days of quietFTLN 1702With turbulent and dangerous lunacy?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 17035He does confess he feels himself distracted,FTLN 1704But from what cause he will by no means speak.GUILDENSTERNFTLN 1705Nor do we find him forward to be sounded,FTLN 1706But with a crafty madness keeps aloofFTLN 1707When we would bring him on to some confessionFTLN 170810Of his true state.QUEENFTLN 1709Did he receive you well?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1710Most like a gentleman.GUILDENSTERNFTLN 1711But with much forcing of his disposition.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1712Niggard of question, but of our demandsFTLN 171315Most free in his reply.QUEENFTLN 1714Did you assay him to any pastime?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1715Madam, it so fell out that certain players

123

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FTLN 1716We o’erraught on the way. Of these we told him,FTLN 1717And there did seem in him a kind of joyFTLN 171820To hear of it. They are here about the court,FTLN 1719And, as I think, they have already orderFTLN 1720This night to play before him.POLONIUSFTLN 1721’Tis most true,FTLN 1722And he beseeched me to entreat your MajestiesFTLN 172325To hear and see the matter.KINGFTLN 1724With all my heart, and it doth much content meFTLN 1725To hear him so inclined.FTLN 1726Good gentlemen, give him a further edgeFTLN 1727And drive his purpose into these delights.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 172830We shall, my lord.Rosencrantz and Guildensternand Lords exit.KINGFTLN 1729Sweet Gertrude, leave us too,FTLN 1730For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither,FTLN 1731That he, as ’twere by accident, may hereFTLN 1732Affront Ophelia.FTLN 173335Her father and myself, lawful espials,FTLN 1734Will so bestow ourselves that, seeing unseen,FTLN 1735We may of their encounter frankly judgeFTLN 1736And gather by him, as he is behaved,FTLN 1737If ’t be th’ affliction of his love or noFTLN 173840That thus he suffers for.QUEENFTLN 1739I shall obey you.FTLN 1740And for your part, Ophelia, I do wishFTLN 1741That your good beauties be the happy causeFTLN 1742Of Hamlet’s wildness. So shall I hope your virtuesFTLN 174345Will bring him to his wonted way again,FTLN 1744To both your honors.OPHELIAFTLN 1745Madam, I wish it may.Queen exits.POLONIUSFTLN 1746Ophelia, walk you here.—Gracious, so please you,

HAMLETFTLN 1762To be or not to be—that is the question:FTLN 176365Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to sufferFTLN 1764The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,FTLN 1765Or to take arms against a sea of troublesFTLN 1766And, by opposing, end them. To die, to sleep—FTLN 1767No more—and by a sleep to say we endFTLN 176870The heartache and the thousand natural shocksFTLN 1769That flesh is heir to—’tis a consummationFTLN 1770Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep—FTLN 1771To sleep, perchance to dream. Ay, there’s the rub,FTLN 1772For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,FTLN 177375When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,FTLN 1774Must give us pause. There’s the respectFTLN 1775That makes calamity of so long life.FTLN 1776For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,FTLN 1777Th’ oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely,

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FTLN 177880The pangs of despised love, the law’s delay,FTLN 1779The insolence of office, and the spurnsFTLN 1780That patient merit of th’ unworthy takes,FTLN 1781When he himself might his quietus makeFTLN 1782With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear,FTLN 178385To grunt and sweat under a weary life,FTLN 1784But that the dread of something after death,FTLN 1785The undiscovered country from whose bournFTLN 1786No traveler returns, puzzles the willFTLN 1787And makes us rather bear those ills we haveFTLN 178890Than fly to others that we know not of?FTLN 1789Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,FTLN 1790And thus the native hue of resolutionFTLN 1791Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought,FTLN 1792And enterprises of great pitch and momentFTLN 179395With this regard their currents turn awryFTLN 1794And lose the name of action.—Soft you now,FTLN 1795The fair Ophelia.—Nymph, in thy orisonsFTLN 1796Be all my sins remembered.OPHELIAFTLN 1797Good my lord,FTLN 1798100How does your Honor for this many a day?HAMLETFTLN 1799I humbly thank you, well.OPHELIAFTLN 1800My lord, I have remembrances of yoursFTLN 1801That I have longèd long to redeliver.FTLN 1802I pray you now receive them.HAMLETFTLN 1803105No, not I. I never gave you aught.OPHELIAFTLN 1804My honored lord, you know right well you did,FTLN 1805And with them words of so sweet breath composedFTLN 1806As made the things more rich. Their perfumeFTLN 1807lost,FTLN 1808110Take these again, for to the noble mindFTLN 1809Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.FTLN 1810There, my lord.

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HAMLETFTLN 1811Ha, ha, are you honest?OPHELIAFTLN 1812My lord?HAMLETFTLN 1813115Are you fair?OPHELIAFTLN 1814What means your Lordship?HAMLETFTLN 1815That if you be honest and fair, your honestyFTLN 1816should admit no discourse to your beauty.OPHELIAFTLN 1817Could beauty, my lord, have better commerceFTLN 1818120than with honesty?HAMLETFTLN 1819Ay, truly, for the power of beauty will soonerFTLN 1820transform honesty from what it is to a bawd thanFTLN 1821the force of honesty can translate beauty into hisFTLN 1822likeness. This was sometime a paradox, but nowFTLN 1823125the time gives it proof. I did love you once.OPHELIAFTLN 1824Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so.HAMLETFTLN 1825You should not have believed me, for virtueFTLN 1826cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shallFTLN 1827relish of it. I loved you not.OPHELIAFTLN 1828130I was the more deceived.HAMLETFTLN 1829Get thee to a nunnery. Why wouldst thou beFTLN 1830a breeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest,FTLN 1831but yet I could accuse me of such things that itFTLN 1832were better my mother had not borne me: I amFTLN 1833135very proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offensesFTLN 1834at my beck than I have thoughts to put themFTLN 1835in, imagination to give them shape, or time to actFTLN 1836them in. What should such fellows as I do crawlingFTLN 1837between earth and heaven? We are arrant knavesFTLN 1838140all; believe none of us. Go thy ways to a nunnery.FTLN 1839Where’s your father?OPHELIAFTLN 1840At home, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 1841Let the doors be shut upon him that he mayFTLN 1842play the fool nowhere but in ’s own house. Farewell.OPHELIAFTLN 1843145O, help him, you sweet heavens!HAMLETFTLN 1844If thou dost marry, I’ll give thee this plagueFTLN 1845for thy dowry: be thou as chaste as ice, as pure asFTLN 1846snow, thou shalt not escape calumny. Get thee to a

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FTLN 1847nunnery, farewell. Or if thou wilt needs marry,FTLN 1848150marry a fool, for wise men know well enough whatFTLN 1849monsters you make of them. To a nunnery, go, andFTLN 1850quickly too. Farewell.OPHELIAFTLN 1851Heavenly powers, restore him!HAMLETFTLN 1852I have heard of your paintings too, wellFTLN 1853155enough. God hath given you one face, and youFTLN 1854make yourselves another. You jig and amble, andFTLN 1855you lisp; you nickname God’s creatures and makeFTLN 1856your wantonness your ignorance. Go to, I’ll noFTLN 1857more on ’t. It hath made me mad. I say we will haveFTLN 1858160no more marriage. Those that are married already,FTLN 1859all but one, shall live. The rest shall keep as they are.FTLN 1860To a nunnery, go.He exits.OPHELIAFTLN 1861O, what a noble mind is here o’erthrown!FTLN 1862The courtier’s, soldier’s, scholar’s, eye, tongue,FTLN 1863165sword,FTLN 1864Th’ expectancy and rose of the fair state,FTLN 1865The glass of fashion and the mold of form,FTLN 1866Th’ observed of all observers, quite, quite down!FTLN 1867And I, of ladies most deject and wretched,FTLN 1868170That sucked the honey of his musicked vows,FTLN 1869Now see that noble and most sovereign reason,FTLN 1870Like sweet bells jangled, out of time and harsh;FTLN 1871That unmatched form and stature of blown youthFTLN 1872Blasted with ecstasy. O, woe is meFTLN 1873175T’ have seen what I have seen, see what I see!KING, advancing with PoloniusFTLN 1874Love? His affections do not that way tend;FTLN 1875Nor what he spake, though it lacked form a little,FTLN 1876Was not like madness. There’s something in his soulFTLN 1877O’er which his melancholy sits on brood,FTLN 1878180And I do doubt the hatch and the discloseFTLN 1879Will be some danger; which for to prevent,FTLN 1880I have in quick determination

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FTLN 1881Thus set it down: he shall with speed to EnglandFTLN 1882For the demand of our neglected tribute.FTLN 1883185Haply the seas, and countries different,FTLN 1884With variable objects, shall expelFTLN 1885This something-settled matter in his heart,FTLN 1886Whereon his brains still beating puts him thusFTLN 1887From fashion of himself. What think you on ’t?POLONIUSFTLN 1888190It shall do well. But yet do I believeFTLN 1889The origin and commencement of his griefFTLN 1890Sprung from neglected love.—How now, Ophelia?FTLN 1891You need not tell us what Lord Hamlet said;FTLN 1892We heard it all.—My lord, do as you please,FTLN 1893195But, if you hold it fit, after the playFTLN 1894Let his queen-mother all alone entreat himFTLN 1895To show his grief. Let her be round with him;FTLN 1896And I’ll be placed, so please you, in the earFTLN 1897Of all their conference. If she find him not,FTLN 1898200To England send him, or confine him whereFTLN 1899Your wisdom best shall think.KINGFTLN 1900It shall be so.FTLN 1901Madness in great ones must not unwatched go.They exit.

Scene2

Enter Hamlet and three of the Players.

HAMLETFTLN 1902Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronouncedFTLN 1903it to you, trippingly on the tongue; but if you mouthFTLN 1904it, as many of our players do, I had as lief theFTLN 1905town-crier spoke my lines. Nor do not saw the airFTLN 19065too much with your hand, thus, but use all gently;FTLN 1907for in the very torrent, tempest, and, as I may say,FTLN 1908whirlwind of your passion, you must acquire andFTLN 1909beget a temperance that may give it smoothness. O,

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FTLN 1910it offends me to the soul to hear a robustious,FTLN 191110periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to veryFTLN 1912rags, to split the ears of the groundlings, who for theFTLN 1913most part are capable of nothing but inexplicableFTLN 1914dumb shows and noise. I would have such a fellowFTLN 1915whipped for o’erdoing Termagant. It out-HerodsFTLN 191615Herod. Pray you, avoid it.PLAYERFTLN 1917I warrant your Honor.HAMLETFTLN 1918Be not too tame neither, but let your ownFTLN 1919discretion be your tutor. Suit the action to theFTLN 1920word, the word to the action, with this specialFTLN 192120observance, that you o’erstep not the modesty ofFTLN 1922nature. For anything so o’erdone is from the purposeFTLN 1923of playing, whose end, both at the first andFTLN 1924now, was and is to hold, as ’twere, the mirror up toFTLN 1925nature, to show virtue her own feature, scorn herFTLN 192625own image, and the very age and body of the timeFTLN 1927his form and pressure. Now this overdone or comeFTLN 1928tardy off, though it makes the unskillful laugh,FTLN 1929cannot but make the judicious grieve, the censureFTLN 1930of the which one must in your allowance o’erweighFTLN 193130a whole theater of others. O, there be players that IFTLN 1932have seen play and heard others praise (and thatFTLN 1933highly), not to speak it profanely, that, neitherFTLN 1934having th’ accent of Christians nor the gait ofFTLN 1935Christian, pagan, nor man, have so strutted andFTLN 193635bellowed that I have thought some of nature’sFTLN 1937journeymen had made men, and not made themFTLN 1938well, they imitated humanity so abominably.PLAYERFTLN 1939I hope we have reformed that indifferentlyFTLN 1940with us, sir.HAMLETFTLN 194140O, reform it altogether. And let those that playFTLN 1942your clowns speak no more than is set down forFTLN 1943them, for there be of them that will themselvesFTLN 1944laugh, to set on some quantity of barren spectatorsFTLN 1945to laugh too, though in the meantime some necessary

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FTLN 194645question of the play be then to be considered.FTLN 1947That’s villainous and shows a most pitiful ambitionFTLN 1948in the fool that uses it. Go make you ready.Players exit.

Enter Polonius, Guildenstern, and Rosencrantz.

FTLN 1949How now, my lord, will the King hear this piece ofFTLN 1950work?POLONIUSFTLN 195150And the Queen too, and that presently.HAMLETFTLN 1952Bid the players make haste.Polonius exits.FTLN 1953Will you two help to hasten them?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 1954Ay, my lord.They exit.HAMLETFTLN 1955What ho, Horatio!

Enter Horatio.

HORATIOFTLN 195655Here, sweet lord, at your service.HAMLETFTLN 1957Horatio, thou art e’en as just a manFTLN 1958As e’er my conversation coped withal.HORATIOFTLN 1959O, my dear lord—HAMLETFTLN 1960Nay, do not think I flatter,FTLN 196160For what advancement may I hope from theeFTLN 1962That no revenue hast but thy good spiritsFTLN 1963To feed and clothe thee? Why should the poor beFTLN 1964flattered?FTLN 1965No, let the candied tongue lick absurd pompFTLN 196665And crook the pregnant hinges of the kneeFTLN 1967Where thrift may follow fawning. Dost thou hear?FTLN 1968Since my dear soul was mistress of her choiceFTLN 1969And could of men distinguish, her electionFTLN 1970Hath sealed thee for herself. For thou hast beenFTLN 197170As one in suffering all that suffers nothing,FTLN 1972A man that Fortune’s buffets and rewardsFTLN 1973Hast ta’en with equal thanks; and blessed are thoseFTLN 1974Whose blood and judgment are so wellFTLN 1975commeddled

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FTLN 197675That they are not a pipe for Fortune’s fingerFTLN 1977To sound what stop she please. Give me that manFTLN 1978That is not passion’s slave, and I will wear himFTLN 1979In my heart’s core, ay, in my heart of heart,FTLN 1980As I do thee.—Something too much of this.—FTLN 198180There is a play tonight before the King.FTLN 1982One scene of it comes near the circumstanceFTLN 1983Which I have told thee of my father’s death.FTLN 1984I prithee, when thou seest that act afoot,FTLN 1985Even with the very comment of thy soulFTLN 198685Observe my uncle. If his occulted guiltFTLN 1987Do not itself unkennel in one speech,FTLN 1988It is a damnèd ghost that we have seen,FTLN 1989And my imaginations are as foulFTLN 1990As Vulcan’s stithy. Give him heedful note,FTLN 199190For I mine eyes will rivet to his face,FTLN 1992And, after, we will both our judgments joinFTLN 1993In censure of his seeming.HORATIOFTLN 1994Well, my lord.FTLN 1995If he steal aught the whilst this play is playingFTLN 199695And ’scape detecting, I will pay the theft.Sound a flourish.HAMLETFTLN 1997They are coming to the play. I must be idle.FTLN 1998Get you a place.

FTLN 2046145Enter a King and a Queen, very lovingly, the QueenFTLN 2047embracing him and he her. She kneels and makes show ofFTLN 2048protestation unto him. He takes her up and declines hisFTLN 2049head upon her neck. He lies him down upon a bank ofFTLN 2050flowers. She, seeing him asleep, leaves him. AnonFTLN 2051150comes in another man, takes off his crown, kisses it, poursFTLN 2052poison in the sleeper’s ears, and leaves him. The QueenFTLN 2053returns, finds the King dead, makes passionate action. TheFTLN 2054poisoner with some three or four come in again, seem toFTLN 2055condole with her. The dead body is carried away. TheFTLN 2056155poisoner woos the Queen with gifts. She seems harshFTLN 2057awhile but in the end accepts his love.Players exit.OPHELIAFTLN 2058What means this, my lord?HAMLETFTLN 2059Marry, this is miching mallecho. It meansFTLN 2060mischief.OPHELIAFTLN 2061160Belike this show imports the argument of theFTLN 2062play.

Enter Prologue.

HAMLETFTLN 2063We shall know by this fellow. The playersFTLN 2064cannot keep counsel; they’ll tell all.OPHELIAFTLN 2065Will he tell us what this show meant?HAMLETFTLN 2066165Ay, or any show that you will show him. BeFTLN 2067not you ashamed to show, he’ll not shame to tell youFTLN 2068what it means.OPHELIAFTLN 2069You are naught, you are naught. I’ll mark theFTLN 2070play.PROLOGUEFTLN 2071170For us and for our tragedy,FTLN 2072Here stooping to your clemency,FTLN 2073We beg your hearing patiently.He exits.

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HAMLETFTLN 2074Is this a prologue or the posy of a ring?OPHELIAFTLN 2075’Tis brief, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 2076175As woman’s love.

Enter the Player King and Queen.

PLAYER KINGFTLN 2077Full thirty times hath Phoebus’ cart gone roundFTLN 2078Neptune’s salt wash and Tellus’ orbèd ground,FTLN 2079And thirty dozen moons with borrowed sheenFTLN 2080About the world have times twelve thirties beenFTLN 2081180Since love our hearts and Hymen did our handsFTLN 2082Unite commutual in most sacred bands.PLAYER QUEENFTLN 2083So many journeys may the sun and moonFTLN 2084Make us again count o’er ere love be done!FTLN 2085But woe is me! You are so sick of late,FTLN 2086185So far from cheer and from your former state,FTLN 2087That I distrust you. Yet, though I distrust,FTLN 2088Discomfort you, my lord, it nothing must.FTLN 2089For women fear too much, even as they love,FTLN 2090And women’s fear and love hold quantity,FTLN 2091190In neither aught, or in extremity.FTLN 2092Now what my love is, proof hath made you know,FTLN 2093And, as my love is sized, my fear is so:FTLN 2094Where love is great, the littlest doubts are fear;FTLN 2095Where little fears grow great, great love grows there.PLAYER KINGFTLN 2096195Faith, I must leave thee, love, and shortly too.FTLN 2097My operant powers their functions leave to do.FTLN 2098And thou shall live in this fair world behind,FTLN 2099Honored, beloved; and haply one as kindFTLN 2100For husband shalt thou—PLAYER QUEENFTLN 2101200O, confound the rest!FTLN 2102Such love must needs be treason in my breast.FTLN 2103In second husband let me be accurst.FTLN 2104None wed the second but who killed the first.

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Hamlet

ACT 3. SC. 2

HAMLETFTLN 2105That’s wormwood!PLAYER QUEENFTLN 2106205The instances that second marriage moveFTLN 2107Are base respects of thrift, but none of love.FTLN 2108A second time I kill my husband deadFTLN 2109When second husband kisses me in bed.PLAYER KINGFTLN 2110I do believe you think what now you speak,FTLN 2111210But what we do determine oft we break.FTLN 2112Purpose is but the slave to memory,FTLN 2113Of violent birth, but poor validity,FTLN 2114Which now, the fruit unripe, sticks on the treeFTLN 2115But fall unshaken when they mellow be.FTLN 2116215Most necessary ’tis that we forgetFTLN 2117To pay ourselves what to ourselves is debt.FTLN 2118What to ourselves in passion we propose,FTLN 2119The passion ending, doth the purpose lose.FTLN 2120The violence of either grief or joyFTLN 2121220Their own enactures with themselves destroy.FTLN 2122Where joy most revels, grief doth most lament;FTLN 2123Grief joys, joy grieves, on slender accident.FTLN 2124This world is not for aye, nor ’tis not strangeFTLN 2125That even our loves should with our fortunes change;FTLN 2126225For ’tis a question left us yet to proveFTLN 2127Whether love lead fortune or else fortune love.FTLN 2128The great man down, you mark his favorite flies;FTLN 2129The poor, advanced, makes friends of enemies.FTLN 2130And hitherto doth love on fortune tend,FTLN 2131230For who not needs shall never lack a friend,FTLN 2132And who in want a hollow friend doth tryFTLN 2133Directly seasons him his enemy.FTLN 2134But, orderly to end where I begun:FTLN 2135Our wills and fates do so contrary runFTLN 2136235That our devices still are overthrown;FTLN 2137Our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our own.FTLN 2138So think thou wilt no second husband wed,FTLN 2139But die thy thoughts when thy first lord is dead.

151

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ACT 3. SC. 2

PLAYER QUEENFTLN 2140Nor Earth to me give food, nor heaven light,FTLN 2141240Sport and repose lock from me day and night,FTLN 2142To desperation turn my trust and hope,FTLN 2143An anchor’s cheer in prison be my scope.FTLN 2144Each opposite that blanks the face of joyFTLN 2145Meet what I would have well and it destroy.FTLN 2146245Both here and hence pursue me lasting strife,FTLN 2147If, once a widow, ever I be wife.HAMLETFTLN 2148If she should break it now!PLAYER KINGFTLN 2149’Tis deeply sworn. Sweet, leave me here awhile.FTLN 2150My spirits grow dull, and fain I would beguileFTLN 2151250The tedious day with sleep.Sleeps.PLAYER QUEENFTLN 2152Sleep rock thy brain,FTLN 2153And never come mischance between us twain.Player Queen exits.HAMLETFTLN 2154Madam, how like you this play?QUEENFTLN 2155The lady doth protest too much, methinks.HAMLETFTLN 2156255O, but she’ll keep her word.KINGFTLN 2157Have you heard the argument? Is there noFTLN 2158offense in ’t?HAMLETFTLN 2159No, no, they do but jest, poison in jest. NoFTLN 2160offense i’ th’ world.KINGFTLN 2161260What do you call the play?HAMLETFTLN 2162“The Mousetrap.” Marry, how? Tropically.FTLN 2163This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna.FTLN 2164Gonzago is the duke’s name, his wife Baptista. YouFTLN 2165shall see anon. ’Tis a knavish piece of work, butFTLN 2166265what of that? Your Majesty and we that have freeFTLN 2167souls, it touches us not. Let the galled jade wince;FTLN 2168our withers are unwrung.

Enter Lucianus.

FTLN 2169This is one Lucianus, nephew to the king.OPHELIAFTLN 2170You are as good as a chorus, my lord.

GUILDENSTERNFTLN 2223Good my lord, vouchsafe me a wordFTLN 2224with you.HAMLETFTLN 2225Sir, a whole history.GUILDENSTERNFTLN 2226325The King, sir—HAMLETFTLN 2227Ay, sir, what of him?GUILDENSTERNFTLN 2228Is in his retirement marvelousFTLN 2229distempered.HAMLETFTLN 2230With drink, sir?GUILDENSTERNFTLN 2231330No, my lord, with choler.HAMLETFTLN 2232Your wisdom should show itself more richerFTLN 2233to signify this to the doctor, for for me to put him toFTLN 2234his purgation would perhaps plunge him into moreFTLN 2235choler.

157

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ACT 3. SC. 2

GUILDENSTERNFTLN 2236335Good my lord, put your discourse intoFTLN 2237some frame and start not so wildly from myFTLN 2238affair.HAMLETFTLN 2239I am tame, sir. Pronounce.GUILDENSTERNFTLN 2240The Queen your mother, in most greatFTLN 2241340affliction of spirit, hath sent me to you.HAMLETFTLN 2242You are welcome.GUILDENSTERNFTLN 2243Nay, good my lord, this courtesy is notFTLN 2244of the right breed. If it shall please you to make meFTLN 2245a wholesome answer, I will do your mother’sFTLN 2246345commandment. If not, your pardon and my returnFTLN 2247shall be the end of my business.HAMLETFTLN 2248Sir, I cannot.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 2249What, my lord?HAMLETFTLN 2250Make you a wholesome answer. My wit’sFTLN 2251350diseased. But, sir, such answer as I can make, youFTLN 2252shall command—or, rather, as you say, my mother.FTLN 2253Therefore no more but to the matter. My mother,FTLN 2254you say—ROSENCRANTZFTLN 2255Then thus she says: your behavior hathFTLN 2256355struck her into amazement and admiration.HAMLETFTLN 2257O wonderful son that can so ’stonish a mother!FTLN 2258But is there no sequel at the heels of thisFTLN 2259mother’s admiration? Impart.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 2260She desires to speak with you in herFTLN 2261360closet ere you go to bed.HAMLETFTLN 2262We shall obey, were she ten times our mother.FTLN 2263Have you any further trade with us?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 2264My lord, you once did love me.HAMLETFTLN 2265And do still, by these pickers and stealers.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 2266365Good my lord, what is your cause ofFTLN 2267distemper? You do surely bar the door upon yourFTLN 2268own liberty if you deny your griefs to your friend.HAMLETFTLN 2269Sir, I lack advancement.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 2270How can that be, when you have theFTLN 2271370voice of the King himself for your succession inFTLN 2272Denmark?

FTLN 2275O, the recorders! Let me see one.He takes arecorder and turns to Guildenstern.FTLN 2276375To withdrawFTLN 2277with you: why do you go about to recover the windFTLN 2278of me, as if you would drive me into a toil?GUILDENSTERNFTLN 2279O, my lord, if my duty be too bold, myFTLN 2280love is too unmannerly.HAMLETFTLN 2281380I do not well understand that. Will you playFTLN 2282upon this pipe?GUILDENSTERNFTLN 2283My lord, I cannot.HAMLETFTLN 2284I pray you.GUILDENSTERNFTLN 2285Believe me, I cannot.HAMLETFTLN 2286385I do beseech you.GUILDENSTERNFTLN 2287I know no touch of it, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 2288It is as easy as lying. Govern these ventagesFTLN 2289with your fingers and thumb, give it breath withFTLN 2290your mouth, and it will discourse most eloquentFTLN 2291390music. Look you, these are the stops.GUILDENSTERNFTLN 2292But these cannot I command to anyFTLN 2293utt’rance of harmony. I have not the skill.HAMLETFTLN 2294Why, look you now, how unworthy a thingFTLN 2295you make of me! You would play upon me, youFTLN 2296395would seem to know my stops, you would pluckFTLN 2297out the heart of my mystery, you would sound meFTLN 2298from my lowest note to the top of my compass;FTLN 2299and there is much music, excellent voice, in thisFTLN 2300little organ, yet cannot you make it speak. ’Sblood,FTLN 2301400do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe?FTLN 2302Call me what instrument you will, though you canFTLN 2303fret me, you cannot play upon me.

Enter Polonius.

FTLN 2304God bless you, sir.

161

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ACT 3. SC. 2

POLONIUSFTLN 2305My lord, the Queen would speak with you,FTLN 2306405and presently.HAMLETFTLN 2307Do you see yonder cloud that’s almost inFTLN 2308shape of a camel?POLONIUSFTLN 2309By th’ Mass, and ’tis like a camel indeed.HAMLETFTLN 2310Methinks it is like a weasel.POLONIUSFTLN 2311410It is backed like a weasel.HAMLETFTLN 2312Or like a whale.POLONIUSFTLN 2313Very like a whale.HAMLETFTLN 2314Then I will come to my mother by and by.FTLN 2315Aside.They fool me to the top of my bent.—I willFTLN 2316415come by and by.POLONIUSFTLN 2317I will say so.HAMLETFTLN 2318“By and by” is easily said. Leave me,FTLN 2319friends.All but Hamlet exit.FTLN 2320’Tis now the very witching time of night,FTLN 2321420When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathesFTLN 2322outFTLN 2323Contagion to this world. Now could I drink hotFTLN 2324bloodFTLN 2325And do such bitter business as the dayFTLN 2326425Would quake to look on. Soft, now to my mother.FTLN 2327O heart, lose not thy nature; let not everFTLN 2328The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom.FTLN 2329Let me be cruel, not unnatural.FTLN 2330I will speak daggers to her, but use none.FTLN 2331430My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites:FTLN 2332How in my words somever she be shent,FTLN 2333To give them seals never, my soul, consent.He exits.

163

Hamlet

ACT 3. SC. 3

Scene3

Enter King, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern.

KINGFTLN 2334I like him not, nor stands it safe with usFTLN 2335To let his madness range. Therefore prepare you.FTLN 2336I your commission will forthwith dispatch,FTLN 2337And he to England shall along with you.FTLN 23385The terms of our estate may not endureFTLN 2339Hazard so near ’s as doth hourly growFTLN 2340Out of his brows.GUILDENSTERNFTLN 2341We will ourselves provide.FTLN 2342Most holy and religious fear it isFTLN 234310To keep those many many bodies safeFTLN 2344That live and feed upon your Majesty.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 2345The single and peculiar life is boundFTLN 2346With all the strength and armor of the mindFTLN 2347To keep itself from noyance, but much moreFTLN 234815That spirit upon whose weal depends and restsFTLN 2349The lives of many. The cess of majestyFTLN 2350Dies not alone, but like a gulf doth drawFTLN 2351What’s near it with it; or it is a massy wheelFTLN 2352Fixed on the summit of the highest mount,FTLN 235320To whose huge spokes ten thousand lesser thingsFTLN 2354Are mortised and adjoined, which, when it falls,FTLN 2355Each small annexment, petty consequence,FTLN 2356Attends the boist’rous ruin. Never aloneFTLN 2357Did the king sigh, but with a general groan.KINGFTLN 235825Arm you, I pray you, to this speedy voyage,FTLN 2359For we will fetters put about this fear,FTLN 2360Which now goes too free-footed.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 2361We will haste us.Rosencrantz and Guildenstern exit.

Enter Polonius.

165

Hamlet

ACT 3. SC. 3

POLONIUSFTLN 2362My lord, he’s going to his mother’s closet.FTLN 236330Behind the arras I’ll convey myselfFTLN 2364To hear the process. I’ll warrant she’ll tax himFTLN 2365home;FTLN 2366And, as you said (and wisely was it said),FTLN 2367’Tis meet that some more audience than a mother,FTLN 236835Since nature makes them partial, should o’erhearFTLN 2369The speech of vantage. Fare you well, my liege.FTLN 2370I’ll call upon you ere you go to bedFTLN 2371And tell you what I know.KINGFTLN 2372Thanks, dear my lord.Polonius exits.FTLN 237340O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven;FTLN 2374It hath the primal eldest curse upon ’t,FTLN 2375A brother’s murder. Pray can I not,FTLN 2376Though inclination be as sharp as will.FTLN 2377My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent,FTLN 237845And, like a man to double business bound,FTLN 2379I stand in pause where I shall first beginFTLN 2380And both neglect. What if this cursèd handFTLN 2381Were thicker than itself with brother’s blood?FTLN 2382Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavensFTLN 238350To wash it white as snow? Whereto serves mercyFTLN 2384But to confront the visage of offense?FTLN 2385And what’s in prayer but this twofold force,FTLN 2386To be forestallèd ere we come to fall,FTLN 2387Or pardoned being down? Then I’ll look up.FTLN 238855My fault is past. But, O, what form of prayerFTLN 2389Can serve my turn? “Forgive me my foul murder”?FTLN 2390That cannot be, since I am still possessedFTLN 2391Of those effects for which I did the murder:FTLN 2392My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen.FTLN 239360May one be pardoned and retain th’ offense?FTLN 2394In the corrupted currents of this world,FTLN 2395Offense’s gilded hand may shove by justice,

167

Hamlet

ACT 3. SC. 3

FTLN 2396And oft ’tis seen the wicked prize itselfFTLN 2397Buys out the law. But ’tis not so above:FTLN 239865There is no shuffling; there the action liesFTLN 2399In his true nature, and we ourselves compelled,FTLN 2400Even to the teeth and forehead of our faults,FTLN 2401To give in evidence. What then? What rests?FTLN 2402Try what repentance can. What can it not?FTLN 240370Yet what can it, when one cannot repent?FTLN 2404O wretched state! O bosom black as death!FTLN 2405O limèd soul, that, struggling to be free,FTLN 2406Art more engaged! Help, angels! Make assay.FTLN 2407Bow, stubborn knees, and heart with strings of steelFTLN 240875Be soft as sinews of the newborn babe.FTLN 2409All may be well.He kneels.

Enter Hamlet.

HAMLETFTLN 2410Now might I do it pat, now he is a-praying,FTLN 2411And now I’ll do ’t.He draws his sword.FTLN 2412And so he goes to heaven,FTLN 241380And so am I revenged. That would be scanned:FTLN 2414A villain kills my father, and for that,FTLN 2415I, his sole son, do this same villain sendFTLN 2416To heaven.FTLN 2417Why, this is hire and salary, not revenge.FTLN 241885He took my father grossly, full of bread,FTLN 2419With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May;FTLN 2420And how his audit stands who knows save heaven.FTLN 2421But in our circumstance and course of thoughtFTLN 2422’Tis heavy with him. And am I then revengedFTLN 242390To take him in the purging of his soul,FTLN 2424When he is fit and seasoned for his passage?FTLN 2425No.FTLN 2426Up sword, and know thou a more horrid hent.He sheathes his sword.FTLN 2427When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage,

169

Hamlet

ACT 3. SC. 4

FTLN 242895Or in th’ incestuous pleasure of his bed,FTLN 2429At game, a-swearing, or about some actFTLN 2430That has no relish of salvation in ’t—FTLN 2431Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven,FTLN 2432And that his soul may be as damned and blackFTLN 2433100As hell, whereto it goes. My mother stays.FTLN 2434This physic but prolongs thy sickly days.Hamlet exits.KING, risingFTLN 2435My words fly up, my thoughts remain below;FTLN 2436Words without thoughts never to heaven go.He exits.

HAMLETFTLN 2447Now, mother, what’s the matter?QUEENFTLN 2448Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended.HAMLETFTLN 2449Mother, you have my father much offended.

171

Hamlet

ACT 3. SC. 4

QUEENFTLN 2450Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue.HAMLETFTLN 245115Go, go, you question with a wicked tongue.QUEENFTLN 2452Why, how now, Hamlet?HAMLETFTLN 2453What’s the matter now?QUEENFTLN 2454Have you forgot me?HAMLETFTLN 2455No, by the rood, not so.FTLN 245620You are the Queen, your husband’s brother’s wife,FTLN 2457And (would it were not so) you are my mother.QUEENFTLN 2458Nay, then I’ll set those to you that can speak.HAMLETFTLN 2459Come, come, and sit you down; you shall not budge.FTLN 2460You go not till I set you up a glassFTLN 246125Where you may see the inmost part of you.QUEENFTLN 2462What wilt thou do? Thou wilt not murder me?FTLN 2463Help, ho!POLONIUS, behind the arrasFTLN 2464What ho! Help!HAMLETFTLN 2465How now, a rat? Dead for a ducat, dead.Hekills Polonius by thrusting a rapierthrough the arras.POLONIUS, behind the arrasFTLN 246630O, I am slain!QUEENFTLN 2467O me, what hast thou done?HAMLETFTLN 2468Nay, I know not. Is it the King?QUEENFTLN 2469O, what a rash and bloody deed is this!HAMLETFTLN 2470A bloody deed—almost as bad, good mother,FTLN 247135As kill a king and marry with his brother.QUEENFTLN 2472As kill a king?

173

Hamlet

ACT 3. SC. 4

HAMLETFTLN 2473Ay, lady, it was my word.He pulls Polonius’ body from behind the arras.FTLN 2474Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell.FTLN 2475I took thee for thy better. Take thy fortune.FTLN 247640Thou find’st to be too busy is some danger.FTLN 2477To Queen.Leave wringing of your hands. Peace, sitFTLN 2478you down,FTLN 2479And let me wring your heart; for so I shallFTLN 2480If it be made of penetrable stuff,FTLN 248145If damnèd custom have not brazed it soFTLN 2482That it be proof and bulwark against sense.QUEENFTLN 2483What have I done, that thou dar’st wag thy tongueFTLN 2484In noise so rude against me?HAMLETFTLN 2485Such an actFTLN 248650That blurs the grace and blush of modesty,FTLN 2487Calls virtue hypocrite, takes off the roseFTLN 2488From the fair forehead of an innocent loveFTLN 2489And sets a blister there, makes marriage vowsFTLN 2490As false as dicers’ oaths—O, such a deedFTLN 249155As from the body of contraction plucksFTLN 2492The very soul, and sweet religion makesFTLN 2493A rhapsody of words! Heaven’s face does glowFTLN 2494O’er this solidity and compound massFTLN 2495With heated visage, as against the doom,FTLN 249660Is thought-sick at the act.QUEENFTLN 2497Ay me, what actFTLN 2498That roars so loud and thunders in the index?HAMLETFTLN 2499Look here upon this picture and on this,FTLN 2500The counterfeit presentment of two brothers.FTLN 250165See what a grace was seated on this brow,FTLN 2502Hyperion’s curls, the front of Jove himself,FTLN 2503An eye like Mars’ to threaten and command,FTLN 2504A station like the herald MercuryFTLN 2505New-lighted on a heaven-kissing hill,

175

Hamlet

ACT 3. SC. 4

FTLN 250670A combination and a form indeedFTLN 2507Where every god did seem to set his sealFTLN 2508To give the world assurance of a man.FTLN 2509This was your husband. Look you now what follows.FTLN 2510Here is your husband, like a mildewed earFTLN 251175Blasting his wholesome brother. Have you eyes?FTLN 2512Could you on this fair mountain leave to feedFTLN 2513And batten on this moor? Ha! Have you eyes?FTLN 2514You cannot call it love, for at your ageFTLN 2515The heyday in the blood is tame, it’s humbleFTLN 251680And waits upon the judgment; and what judgmentFTLN 2517Would step from this to this? Sense sure you have,FTLN 2518Else could you not have motion; but sure that senseFTLN 2519Is apoplexed; for madness would not err,FTLN 2520Nor sense to ecstasy was ne’er so thralled,FTLN 252185But it reserved some quantity of choiceFTLN 2522To serve in such a difference. What devil was ’tFTLN 2523That thus hath cozened you at hoodman-blind?FTLN 2524Eyes without feeling, feeling without sight,FTLN 2525Ears without hands or eyes, smelling sans all,FTLN 252690Or but a sickly part of one true senseFTLN 2527Could not so mope. O shame, where is thy blush?FTLN 2528Rebellious hell,FTLN 2529If thou canst mutine in a matron’s bones,FTLN 2530To flaming youth let virtue be as waxFTLN 253195And melt in her own fire. Proclaim no shameFTLN 2532When the compulsive ardor gives the charge,FTLN 2533Since frost itself as actively doth burn,FTLN 2534And reason panders will.QUEENFTLN 2535O Hamlet, speak no more!FTLN 2536100Thou turn’st my eyes into my very soul,FTLN 2537And there I see such black and grainèd spotsFTLN 2538As will not leave their tinct.HAMLETFTLN 2539Nay, but to liveFTLN 2540In the rank sweat of an enseamèd bed,FTLN 2541105Stewed in corruption, honeying and making loveFTLN 2542Over the nasty sty!

177

Hamlet

ACT 3. SC. 4

QUEENFTLN 2543O, speak to me no more!FTLN 2544These words like daggers enter in my ears.FTLN 2545No more, sweet Hamlet!HAMLETFTLN 2546110A murderer and a villain,FTLN 2547A slave that is not twentieth part the titheFTLN 2548Of your precedent lord; a vice of kings,FTLN 2549A cutpurse of the empire and the rule,FTLN 2550That from a shelf the precious diadem stoleFTLN 2551115And put it in his pocket—QUEENFTLN 2552No more!HAMLETFTLN 2553A king of shreds and patches—

Enter Ghost.

FTLN 2554Save me and hover o’er me with your wings,FTLN 2555You heavenly guards!—What would your graciousFTLN 2556120figure?QUEENFTLN 2557Alas, he’s mad.HAMLETFTLN 2558Do you not come your tardy son to chide,FTLN 2559That, lapsed in time and passion, lets go byFTLN 2560Th’ important acting of your dread command?FTLN 2561125O, say!GHOSTFTLN 2562Do not forget. This visitationFTLN 2563Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose.FTLN 2564But look, amazement on thy mother sits.FTLN 2565O, step between her and her fighting soul.FTLN 2566130Conceit in weakest bodies strongest works.FTLN 2567Speak to her, Hamlet.HAMLETFTLN 2568How is it with you, lady?QUEENFTLN 2569Alas, how is ’t with you,FTLN 2570That you do bend your eye on vacancyFTLN 2571135And with th’ incorporal air do hold discourse?FTLN 2572Forth at your eyes your spirits wildly peep,FTLN 2573And, as the sleeping soldiers in th’ alarm,FTLN 2574Your bedded hair, like life in excrements,FTLN 2575Start up and stand an end. O gentle son,

179

Hamlet

ACT 3. SC. 4

FTLN 2576140Upon the heat and flame of thy distemperFTLN 2577Sprinkle cool patience! Whereon do you look?HAMLETFTLN 2578On him, on him! Look you how pale he glares.FTLN 2579His form and cause conjoined, preaching to stones,FTLN 2580Would make them capable.To the Ghost. Do notFTLN 2581145look upon me,FTLN 2582Lest with this piteous action you convertFTLN 2583My stern effects. Then what I have to doFTLN 2584Will want true color—tears perchance for blood.QUEENFTLN 2585To whom do you speak this?HAMLETFTLN 2586150Do you see nothing there?QUEENFTLN 2587Nothing at all; yet all that is I see.HAMLETFTLN 2588Nor did you nothing hear?QUEENFTLN 2589No, nothing but ourselves.HAMLETFTLN 2590Why, look you there, look how it steals away!FTLN 2591155My father, in his habit as he lived!FTLN 2592Look where he goes even now out at the portal!Ghost exits.QUEENFTLN 2593This is the very coinage of your brain.FTLN 2594This bodiless creation ecstasyFTLN 2595Is very cunning in.HAMLETFTLN 2596160Ecstasy?FTLN 2597My pulse as yours doth temperately keep timeFTLN 2598And makes as healthful music. It is not madnessFTLN 2599That I have uttered. Bring me to the test,FTLN 2600And I the matter will reword, which madnessFTLN 2601165Would gambol from. Mother, for love of grace,FTLN 2602Lay not that flattering unction to your soulFTLN 2603That not your trespass but my madness speaks.FTLN 2604It will but skin and film the ulcerous place,FTLN 2605Whiles rank corruption, mining all within,FTLN 2606170Infects unseen. Confess yourself to heaven,

181

Hamlet

ACT 3. SC. 4

FTLN 2607Repent what’s past, avoid what is to come,FTLN 2608And do not spread the compost on the weedsFTLN 2609To make them ranker. Forgive me this my virtue,FTLN 2610For, in the fatness of these pursy times,FTLN 2611175Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg,FTLN 2612Yea, curb and woo for leave to do him good.QUEENFTLN 2613O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain!HAMLETFTLN 2614O, throw away the worser part of it,FTLN 2615And live the purer with the other half!FTLN 2616180Good night. But go not to my uncle’s bed.FTLN 2617Assume a virtue if you have it not.FTLN 2618That monster, custom, who all sense doth eat,FTLN 2619Of habits devil, is angel yet in this,FTLN 2620That to the use of actions fair and goodFTLN 2621185He likewise gives a frock or liveryFTLN 2622That aptly is put on. Refrain tonight,FTLN 2623And that shall lend a kind of easinessFTLN 2624To the next abstinence, the next more easy;FTLN 2625For use almost can change the stamp of natureFTLN 2626190And either … the devil or throw him outFTLN 2627With wondrous potency. Once more, good night,FTLN 2628And, when you are desirous to be blest,FTLN 2629I’ll blessing beg of you. For this same lordPointing to Polonius.FTLN 2630I do repent; but heaven hath pleased it soFTLN 2631195To punish me with this and this with me,FTLN 2632That I must be their scourge and minister.FTLN 2633I will bestow him and will answer wellFTLN 2634The death I gave him. So, again, good night.FTLN 2635I must be cruel only to be kind.FTLN 2636200This bad begins, and worse remains behind.FTLN 2637One word more, good lady.QUEENFTLN 2638What shall I do?

183

Hamlet

ACT 3. SC. 4

HAMLETFTLN 2639Not this by no means that I bid you do:FTLN 2640Let the bloat king tempt you again to bed,FTLN 2641205Pinch wanton on your cheek, call you his mouse,FTLN 2642And let him, for a pair of reechy kissesFTLN 2643Or paddling in your neck with his damned fingers,FTLN 2644Make you to ravel all this matter outFTLN 2645That I essentially am not in madness,FTLN 2646210But mad in craft. ’Twere good you let him know,FTLN 2647For who that’s but a queen, fair, sober, wise,FTLN 2648Would from a paddock, from a bat, a gib,FTLN 2649Such dear concernings hide? Who would do so?FTLN 2650No, in despite of sense and secrecy,FTLN 2651215Unpeg the basket on the house’s top,FTLN 2652Let the birds fly, and like the famous ape,FTLN 2653To try conclusions, in the basket creepFTLN 2654And break your own neck down.QUEENFTLN 2655Be thou assured, if words be made of breathFTLN 2656220And breath of life, I have no life to breatheFTLN 2657What thou hast said to me.HAMLETFTLN 2658I must to England, you know that.QUEENFTLN 2659Alack,FTLN 2660I had forgot! ’Tis so concluded on.HAMLETFTLN 2661225There’s letters sealed; and my two schoolfellows,FTLN 2662Whom I will trust as I will adders fanged,FTLN 2663They bear the mandate; they must sweep my wayFTLN 2664And marshal me to knavery. Let it work,FTLN 2665For ’tis the sport to have the enginerFTLN 2666230Hoist with his own petard; and ’t shall go hardFTLN 2667But I will delve one yard below their minesFTLN 2668And blow them at the moon. O, ’tis most sweetFTLN 2669When in one line two crafts directly meet.FTLN 2670This man shall set me packing.

185

Hamlet

ACT 3. SC. 4

FTLN 2671235I’ll lug the guts into the neighbor room.FTLN 2672Mother, good night indeed. This counselorFTLN 2673Is now most still, most secret, and most grave,FTLN 2674Who was in life a foolish prating knave.—FTLN 2675Come, sir, to draw toward an end with you.—FTLN 2676240Good night, mother.They exit, Hamlet tugging in Polonius.

ACT4

Scene1

Enter King and Queen, with Rosencrantz andGuildenstern.

KINGFTLN 2677There’s matter in these sighs; these profound heavesFTLN 2678You must translate; ’tis fit we understand them.FTLN 2679Where is your son?QUEENFTLN 2680Bestow this place on us a little while.Rosencrantz and Guildenstern exit.FTLN 26815Ah, mine own lord, what have I seen tonight!KINGFTLN 2682What, Gertrude? How does Hamlet?QUEENFTLN 2683Mad as the sea and wind when both contendFTLN 2684Which is the mightier. In his lawless fit,FTLN 2685Behind the arras hearing something stir,FTLN 268610Whips out his rapier, cries “A rat, a rat,”FTLN 2687And in this brainish apprehension killsFTLN 2688The unseen good old man.KINGFTLN 2689O heavy deed!FTLN 2690It had been so with us, had we been there.FTLN 269115His liberty is full of threats to all—FTLN 2692To you yourself, to us, to everyone.FTLN 2693Alas, how shall this bloody deed be answered?FTLN 2694It will be laid to us, whose providence

189

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FTLN 2695Should have kept short, restrained, and out of hauntFTLN 269620This mad young man. But so much was our love,FTLN 2697We would not understand what was most fit,FTLN 2698But, like the owner of a foul disease,FTLN 2699To keep it from divulging, let it feedFTLN 2700Even on the pith of life. Where is he gone?QUEENFTLN 270125To draw apart the body he hath killed,FTLN 2702O’er whom his very madness, like some oreFTLN 2703Among a mineral of metals base,FTLN 2704Shows itself pure: he weeps for what is done.KINGFTLN 2705O Gertrude, come away!FTLN 270630The sun no sooner shall the mountains touchFTLN 2707But we will ship him hence; and this vile deedFTLN 2708We must with all our majesty and skillFTLN 2709Both countenance and excuse.—Ho, Guildenstern!

Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

FTLN 2710Friends both, go join you with some further aid.FTLN 271135Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain,FTLN 2712And from his mother’s closet hath he dragged him.FTLN 2713Go seek him out, speak fair, and bring the bodyFTLN 2714Into the chapel. I pray you, haste in this.Rosencrantz and Guildenstern exit.FTLN 2715Come, Gertrude, we’ll call up our wisest friendsFTLN 271640And let them know both what we mean to doFTLN 2717And what’s untimely done. …FTLN 2718Whose whisper o’er the world’s diameter,FTLN 2719As level as the cannon to his blankFTLN 2720Transports his poisoned shot, may miss our nameFTLN 272145And hit the woundless air. O, come away!FTLN 2722My soul is full of discord and dismay.They exit.

ROSENCRANTZFTLN 27275What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?HAMLETFTLN 2728Compounded it with dust, whereto ’tis kin.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 2729Tell us where ’tis, that we may take it thenceFTLN 2730And bear it to the chapel.HAMLETFTLN 2731Do not believe it.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 273210Believe what?HAMLETFTLN 2733That I can keep your counsel and not mineFTLN 2734own. Besides, to be demanded of a sponge, whatFTLN 2735replication should be made by the son of a king?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 2736Take you me for a sponge, my lord?HAMLETFTLN 273715Ay, sir, that soaks up the King’s countenance,FTLN 2738his rewards, his authorities. But such officers do theFTLN 2739King best service in the end. He keeps them like anFTLN 2740ape an apple in the corner of his jaw, first mouthed,FTLN 2741to be last swallowed. When he needs what you haveFTLN 274220gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, youFTLN 2743shall be dry again.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 2744I understand you not, my lord.HAMLETFTLN 2745I am glad of it. A knavish speech sleeps in aFTLN 2746foolish ear.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 274725My lord, you must tell us where theFTLN 2748body is and go with us to the King.HAMLETFTLN 2749The body is with the King, but the King is notFTLN 2750with the body. The King is a thing—

KINGFTLN 2754I have sent to seek him and to find the body.FTLN 2755How dangerous is it that this man goes loose!FTLN 2756Yet must not we put the strong law on him.FTLN 2757He’s loved of the distracted multitude,FTLN 27585Who like not in their judgment, but their eyes;FTLN 2759And, where ’tis so, th’ offender’s scourge is weighed,FTLN 2760But never the offense. To bear all smooth and even,FTLN 2761This sudden sending him away must seemFTLN 2762Deliberate pause. Diseases desperate grownFTLN 276310By desperate appliance are relievedFTLN 2764Or not at all.

Enter Rosencrantz.

FTLN 2765How now, what hath befallen?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 2766Where the dead body is bestowed, my lord,FTLN 2767We cannot get from him.KINGFTLN 276815But where is he?ROSENCRANTZFTLN 2769Without, my lord; guarded, to know your pleasure.KINGFTLN 2770Bring him before us.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 2771Ho! Bring in the lord.

KINGFTLN 2774At supper where?HAMLETFTLN 2775Not where he eats, but where he is eaten. AFTLN 2776certain convocation of politic worms are e’en atFTLN 2777him. Your worm is your only emperor for diet. WeFTLN 277825fat all creatures else to fat us, and we fat ourselvesFTLN 2779for maggots. Your fat king and your lean beggar isFTLN 2780but variable service—two dishes but to one table.FTLN 2781That’s the end.KINGFTLN 2782Alas, alas!HAMLETFTLN 278330A man may fish with the worm that hath eatFTLN 2784of a king and eat of the fish that hath fed of thatFTLN 2785worm.KINGFTLN 2786What dost thou mean by this?HAMLETFTLN 2787Nothing but to show you how a king may go aFTLN 278835progress through the guts of a beggar.KINGFTLN 2789Where is Polonius?HAMLETFTLN 2790In heaven. Send thither to see. If your messengerFTLN 2791find him not there, seek him i’ th’ otherFTLN 2792place yourself. But if, indeed, you find him notFTLN 279340within this month, you shall nose him as you go upFTLN 2794the stairs into the lobby.KING, to Attendants.FTLN 2795Go, seek him there.HAMLETFTLN 2796He will stay till you come.Attendants exit.KINGFTLN 2797Hamlet, this deed, for thine especial safetyFTLN 279845(Which we do tender, as we dearly grieveFTLN 2799For that which thou hast done) must send theeFTLN 2800henceFTLN 2801With fiery quickness. Therefore prepare thyself.FTLN 2802The bark is ready, and the wind at help,FTLN 280350Th’ associates tend, and everything is bentFTLN 2804For England.HAMLETFTLN 2805For England?KINGFTLN 2806Ay, Hamlet.HAMLETFTLN 2807Good.KINGFTLN 280855So is it, if thou knew’st our purposes.

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HAMLETFTLN 2809I see a cherub that sees them. But come, forFTLN 2810England.FTLN 2811Farewell, dear mother.KINGFTLN 2812Thy loving father, Hamlet.HAMLETFTLN 281360My mother. Father and mother is man and wife,FTLN 2814Man and wife is one flesh, and so, my mother.—FTLN 2815Come, for England.He exits.KINGFTLN 2816Follow him at foot; tempt him with speed aboard.FTLN 2817Delay it not. I’ll have him hence tonight.FTLN 281865Away, for everything is sealed and doneFTLN 2819That else leans on th’ affair. Pray you, make haste.All but the King exit.FTLN 2820And England, if my love thou hold’st at aughtFTLN 2821(As my great power thereof may give thee sense,FTLN 2822Since yet thy cicatrice looks raw and redFTLN 282370After the Danish sword, and thy free aweFTLN 2824Pays homage to us), thou mayst not coldly setFTLN 2825Our sovereign process, which imports at full,FTLN 2826By letters congruing to that effect,FTLN 2827The present death of Hamlet. Do it, England,FTLN 282875For like the hectic in my blood he rages,FTLN 2829And thou must cure me. Till I know ’tis done,FTLN 2830Howe’er my haps, my joys will ne’er begin.He exits.

Scene4

Enter Fortinbras with his army over the stage.

FORTINBRASFTLN 2831Go, Captain, from me greet the Danish king.FTLN 2832Tell him that by his license FortinbrasFTLN 2833Craves the conveyance of a promised marchFTLN 2834Over his kingdom. You know the rendezvous.

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FTLN 28355If that his Majesty would aught with us,FTLN 2836We shall express our duty in his eye;FTLN 2837And let him know so.CAPTAINFTLN 2838I will do ’t, my lord.FORTINBRASFTLN 2839Go softly on.All but the Captain exit.

Enter Hamlet, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and others.

HAMLETFTLN 284010Good sir, whose powers are these?CAPTAINFTLN 2841They are of Norway, sir.HAMLETFTLN 2842How purposed, sir, I pray you?CAPTAINFTLN 2843Against some part of Poland.HAMLETFTLN 2844Who commands them, sir?CAPTAINFTLN 284515The nephew to old Norway, Fortinbras.HAMLETFTLN 2846Goes it against the main of Poland, sir,FTLN 2847Or for some frontier?CAPTAINFTLN 2848Truly to speak, and with no addition,FTLN 2849We go to gain a little patch of groundFTLN 285020That hath in it no profit but the name.FTLN 2851To pay five ducats, five, I would not farm it;FTLN 2852Nor will it yield to Norway or the PoleFTLN 2853A ranker rate, should it be sold in fee.HAMLETFTLN 2854Why, then, the Polack never will defend it.CAPTAINFTLN 285525Yes, it is already garrisoned.HAMLETFTLN 2856Two thousand souls and twenty thousand ducatsFTLN 2857Will not debate the question of this straw.FTLN 2858This is th’ impostume of much wealth and peace,FTLN 2859That inward breaks and shows no cause withoutFTLN 286030Why the man dies.—I humbly thank you, sir.CAPTAINFTLN 2861God be wi’ you, sir.He exits.ROSENCRANTZFTLN 2862Will ’t please you go, my lord?

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HAMLETFTLN 2863I’ll be with you straight. Go a little before.All but Hamlet exit.FTLN 2864How all occasions do inform against meFTLN 286535And spur my dull revenge. What is a manFTLN 2866If his chief good and market of his timeFTLN 2867Be but to sleep and feed? A beast, no more.FTLN 2868Sure He that made us with such large discourse,FTLN 2869Looking before and after, gave us notFTLN 287040That capability and godlike reasonFTLN 2871To fust in us unused. Now whether it beFTLN 2872Bestial oblivion or some craven scrupleFTLN 2873Of thinking too precisely on th’ eventFTLN 2874(A thought which, quartered, hath but one partFTLN 287545wisdomFTLN 2876And ever three parts coward), I do not knowFTLN 2877Why yet I live to say “This thing’s to do,”FTLN 2878Sith I have cause, and will, and strength, and meansFTLN 2879To do ’t. Examples gross as Earth exhort me:FTLN 288050Witness this army of such mass and charge,FTLN 2881Led by a delicate and tender prince,FTLN 2882Whose spirit with divine ambition puffedFTLN 2883Makes mouths at the invisible event,FTLN 2884Exposing what is mortal and unsureFTLN 288555To all that fortune, death, and danger dare,FTLN 2886Even for an eggshell. Rightly to be greatFTLN 2887Is not to stir without great argument,FTLN 2888But greatly to find quarrel in a strawFTLN 2889When honor’s at the stake. How stand I, then,FTLN 289060That have a father killed, a mother stained,FTLN 2891Excitements of my reason and my blood,FTLN 2892And let all sleep, while to my shame I seeFTLN 2893The imminent death of twenty thousand menFTLN 2894That for a fantasy and trick of fameFTLN 289565Go to their graves like beds, fight for a plotFTLN 2896Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause,

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FTLN 2897Which is not tomb enough and continentFTLN 2898To hide the slain? O, from this time forthFTLN 2899My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth!He exits.

Scene5

Enter Horatio, Queen, and a Gentleman.

QUEENFTLN 2900I will not speak with her.GENTLEMANFTLN 2901She is importunate,FTLN 2902Indeed distract; her mood will needs be pitied.QUEENFTLN 2903What would she have?GENTLEMANFTLN 29045She speaks much of her father, says she hearsFTLN 2905There’s tricks i’ th’ world, and hems, and beats herFTLN 2906heart,FTLN 2907Spurns enviously at straws, speaks things in doubtFTLN 2908That carry but half sense. Her speech is nothing,FTLN 290910Yet the unshapèd use of it doth moveFTLN 2910The hearers to collection. They aim at itFTLN 2911And botch the words up fit to their own thoughts;FTLN 2912Which, as her winks and nods and gestures yieldFTLN 2913them,FTLN 291415Indeed would make one think there might beFTLN 2915thought,FTLN 2916Though nothing sure, yet much unhappily.HORATIOFTLN 2917’Twere good she were spoken with, for she mayFTLN 2918strewFTLN 291920Dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding minds.QUEENFTLN 2920Let her come in.Gentleman exits.FTLN 2921Aside.To my sick soul (as sin’s true nature is),FTLN 2922Each toy seems prologue to some great amiss.FTLN 2923So full of artless jealousy is guilt,FTLN 292425It spills itself in fearing to be spilt.

QUEENFTLN 2941Alas, look here, my lord.OPHELIAsingsFTLN 2942Larded all with sweet flowers;FTLN 2943Which bewept to the ground did not goFTLN 294445With true-love showers.KINGFTLN 2945How do you, pretty lady?OPHELIAFTLN 2946Well, God dild you. They say the owl was aFTLN 2947baker’s daughter. Lord, we know what we are butFTLN 2948know not what we may be. God be at your table.KINGFTLN 294950Conceit upon her father.OPHELIAFTLN 2950Pray let’s have no words of this, but whenFTLN 2951they ask you what it means, say you this:

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Sings.FTLN 2952Tomorrow is Saint Valentine’s day,FTLN 2953All in the morning betime,FTLN 295455And I a maid at your window,FTLN 2955To be your Valentine.FTLN 2956Then up he rose and donned his clothesFTLN 2957And dupped the chamber door,FTLN 2958Let in the maid, that out a maidFTLN 295960Never departed more.KINGFTLN 2960Pretty Ophelia—OPHELIAFTLN 2961Indeed, without an oath, I’ll make an end on ’t:Sings.FTLN 2962By Gis and by Saint Charity,FTLN 2963Alack and fie for shame,FTLN 296465Young men will do ’t, if they come to ’t;FTLN 2965By Cock, they are to blame.FTLN 2966Quoth she “Before you tumbled me,FTLN 2967You promised me to wed.”FTLN 2968He answers:FTLN 296970“So would I ’a done, by yonder sun,FTLN 2970An thou hadst not come to my bed.”KINGFTLN 2971How long hath she been thus?OPHELIAFTLN 2972I hope all will be well. We must be patient,FTLN 2973but I cannot choose but weep to think they wouldFTLN 297475lay him i’ th’ cold ground. My brother shall know ofFTLN 2975it. And so I thank you for your good counsel. Come,FTLN 2976my coach! Good night, ladies, good night, sweetFTLN 2977ladies, good night, good night.She exits.KINGFTLN 2978Follow her close; give her good watch, I pray you.Horatio exits.FTLN 297980O, this is the poison of deep grief. It springsFTLN 2980All from her father’s death, and now behold!FTLN 2981O Gertrude, Gertrude,FTLN 2982When sorrows come, they come not single spies,FTLN 2983But in battalions: first, her father slain;FTLN 298485Next, your son gone, and he most violent authorFTLN 2985Of his own just remove; the people muddied,

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FTLN 2986Thick, and unwholesome in their thoughts andFTLN 2987whispersFTLN 2988For good Polonius’ death, and we have done butFTLN 298990greenlyFTLN 2990In hugger-mugger to inter him; poor OpheliaFTLN 2991Divided from herself and her fair judgment,FTLN 2992Without the which we are pictures or mere beasts;FTLN 2993Last, and as much containing as all these,FTLN 299495Her brother is in secret come from France,FTLN 2995Feeds on his wonder, keeps himself in clouds,FTLN 2996And wants not buzzers to infect his earFTLN 2997With pestilent speeches of his father’s death,FTLN 2998Wherein necessity, of matter beggared,FTLN 2999100Will nothing stick our person to arraignFTLN 3000In ear and ear. O, my dear Gertrude, this,FTLN 3001Like to a murd’ring piece, in many placesFTLN 3002Gives me superfluous death.A noise within.QUEENFTLN 3003Alack, what noise is this?KINGFTLN 3004105Attend!FTLN 3005Where is my Switzers? Let them guard the door.

Enter a Messenger.

FTLN 3006What is the matter?MESSENGERFTLN 3007Save yourself, my lord.FTLN 3008The ocean, overpeering of his list,FTLN 3009110Eats not the flats with more impiteous hasteFTLN 3010Than young Laertes, in a riotous head,FTLN 3011O’erbears your officers. The rabble call him “lord,”FTLN 3012And, as the world were now but to begin,FTLN 3013Antiquity forgot, custom not known,FTLN 3014115The ratifiers and props of every word,FTLN 3015They cry “Choose we, Laertes shall be king!”FTLN 3016Caps, hands, and tongues applaud it to the clouds,FTLN 3017“Laertes shall be king! Laertes king!”A noise within.

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QUEENFTLN 3018How cheerfully on the false trail they cry.FTLN 3019120O, this is counter, you false Danish dogs!KINGFTLN 3020The doors are broke.

LAERTESFTLN 3047How came he dead? I’ll not be juggled with.FTLN 3048To hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil!FTLN 3049150Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit!FTLN 3050I dare damnation. To this point I stand,FTLN 3051That both the worlds I give to negligence,FTLN 3052Let come what comes, only I’ll be revengedFTLN 3053Most throughly for my father.KINGFTLN 3054155Who shall stay you?LAERTESFTLN 3055My will, not all the world.FTLN 3056And for my means, I’ll husband them so wellFTLN 3057They shall go far with little.KINGFTLN 3058Good Laertes,FTLN 3059160If you desire to know the certaintyFTLN 3060Of your dear father, is ’t writ in your revengeFTLN 3061That, swoopstake, you will draw both friend andFTLN 3062foe,FTLN 3063Winner and loser?LAERTESFTLN 3064165None but his enemies.KINGFTLN 3065Will you know them, then?LAERTESFTLN 3066To his good friends thus wide I’ll ope my armsFTLN 3067And, like the kind life-rend’ring pelican,FTLN 3068Repast them with my blood.KINGFTLN 3069170Why, now you speakFTLN 3070Like a good child and a true gentleman.FTLN 3071That I am guiltless of your father’s deathFTLN 3072And am most sensibly in grief for it,FTLN 3073It shall as level to your judgment ’pearFTLN 3074175As day does to your eye.FTLN 3075A noise within: “Let her come in!”LAERTESFTLN 3076How now, what noise is that?

Enter Ophelia.

FTLN 3077O heat, dry up my brains! Tears seven times saltFTLN 3078Burn out the sense and virtue of mine eye!

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FTLN 3079180By heaven, thy madness shall be paid with weightFTLN 3080Till our scale turn the beam! O rose of May,FTLN 3081Dear maid, kind sister, sweet Ophelia!FTLN 3082O heavens, is ’t possible a young maid’s witsFTLN 3083Should be as mortal as an old man’s life?FTLN 3084185Nature is fine in love, and, where ’tis fine,FTLN 3085It sends some precious instance of itselfFTLN 3086After the thing it loves.OPHELIAsingsFTLN 3087They bore him barefaced on the bier,FTLN 3088Hey non nonny, nonny, hey nonny,FTLN 3089190And in his grave rained many a tear.FTLN 3090Fare you well, my dove.LAERTESFTLN 3091Hadst thou thy wits and didst persuade revenge,FTLN 3092It could not move thus.OPHELIAFTLN 3093You must sing “A-down a-down”—and youFTLN 3094195“Call him a-down-a.”—O, how the wheel becomesFTLN 3095it! It is the false steward that stole his master’sFTLN 3096daughter.LAERTESFTLN 3097This nothing’s more than matter.OPHELIAFTLN 3098There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance.FTLN 3099200Pray you, love, remember. And there is pansies,FTLN 3100that’s for thoughts.LAERTESFTLN 3101A document in madness: thoughts and remembranceFTLN 3102fitted.OPHELIAFTLN 3103There’s fennel for you, and columbines.FTLN 3104205There’s rue for you, and here’s some for me; weFTLN 3105may call it herb of grace o’ Sundays. You must wearFTLN 3106your rue with a difference. There’s a daisy. I wouldFTLN 3107give you some violets, but they withered all whenFTLN 3108my father died. They say he made a good end.FTLN 3109210Sings.For bonny sweet Robin is all my joy.LAERTESFTLN 3110Thought and afflictions, passion, hell itselfFTLN 3111She turns to favor and to prettiness.

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OPHELIAsingsFTLN 3112And will he not come again?FTLN 3113And will he not come again?FTLN 3114215No, no, he is dead.FTLN 3115Go to thy deathbed.FTLN 3116He never will come again.

FTLN 3117His beard was as white as snow,FTLN 3118All flaxen was his poll.FTLN 3119220He is gone, he is gone,FTLN 3120And we cast away moan.FTLN 3121God ’a mercy on his soul.FTLN 3122And of all Christians’ souls, I pray God. God be wi’FTLN 3123you.She exits.LAERTESFTLN 3124225Do you see this, O God?KINGFTLN 3125Laertes, I must commune with your grief,FTLN 3126Or you deny me right. Go but apart,FTLN 3127Make choice of whom your wisest friends you will,FTLN 3128And they shall hear and judge ’twixt you and me.FTLN 3129230If by direct or by collateral handFTLN 3130They find us touched, we will our kingdom give,FTLN 3131Our crown, our life, and all that we call ours,FTLN 3132To you in satisfaction; but if not,FTLN 3133Be you content to lend your patience to us,FTLN 3134235And we shall jointly labor with your soulFTLN 3135To give it due content.LAERTESFTLN 3136Let this be so.FTLN 3137His means of death, his obscure funeralFTLN 3138(No trophy, sword, nor hatchment o’er his bones,FTLN 3139240No noble rite nor formal ostentation)FTLN 3140Cry to be heard, as ’twere from heaven to earth,FTLN 3141That I must call ’t in question.KINGFTLN 3142So you shall,FTLN 3143And where th’ offense is, let the great ax fall.FTLN 3144245I pray you, go with me.They exit.

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Scene6

Enter Horatio and others.

HORATIOFTLN 3145What are they that would speak with me?GENTLEMANFTLN 3146Seafaring men, sir. They say they haveFTLN 3147letters for you.HORATIOFTLN 3148Let them come in.Gentleman exits. I do notFTLN 31495know from what part of the world I should beFTLN 3150greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.

Enter Sailors.

SAILORFTLN 3151God bless you, sir.HORATIOFTLN 3152Let Him bless thee too.SAILORFTLN 3153He shall, sir, an ’t please Him. There’s a letterFTLN 315410for you, sir. It came from th’ ambassador that wasFTLN 3155bound for England—if your name be Horatio, as IFTLN 3156am let to know it is.He hands Horatio a letter.HORATIOreads the letterFTLN 3157Horatio, when thou shalt haveFTLN 3158overlooked this, give these fellows some means to theFTLN 315915King. They have letters for him. Ere we were two daysFTLN 3160old at sea, a pirate of very warlike appointment gaveFTLN 3161us chase. Finding ourselves too slow of sail, we put onFTLN 3162a compelled valor, and in the grapple I boarded them.FTLN 3163On the instant, they got clear of our ship; so I aloneFTLN 316420became their prisoner. They have dealt with me likeFTLN 3165thieves of mercy, but they knew what they did: I am toFTLN 3166do a good turn for them. Let the King have the lettersFTLN 3167I have sent, and repair thou to me with as much speedFTLN 3168as thou wouldst fly death. I have words to speak inFTLN 316925thine ear will make thee dumb; yet are they much tooFTLN 3170light for the bore of the matter. These good fellowsFTLN 3171will bring thee where I am. Rosencrantz and GuildensternFTLN 3172hold their course for England; of them I haveFTLN 3173much to tell thee. Farewell.FTLN 317430He that thou knowest thine,FTLN 3175Hamlet.

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FTLN 3176Come, I will give you way for these your lettersFTLN 3177And do ’t the speedier that you may direct meFTLN 3178To him from whom you brought them.They exit.

Scene7

Enter King and Laertes.

KINGFTLN 3179Now must your conscience my acquittance seal,FTLN 3180And you must put me in your heart for friend,FTLN 3181Sith you have heard, and with a knowing ear,FTLN 3182That he which hath your noble father slainFTLN 31835Pursued my life.LAERTESFTLN 3184It well appears. But tell meFTLN 3185Why you proceeded not against these feats,FTLN 3186So criminal and so capital in nature,FTLN 3187As by your safety, greatness, wisdom, all things else,FTLN 318810You mainly were stirred up.KINGFTLN 3189O, for two special reasons,FTLN 3190Which may to you perhaps seem much unsinewed,FTLN 3191But yet to me they’re strong. The Queen his motherFTLN 3192Lives almost by his looks, and for myselfFTLN 319315(My virtue or my plague, be it either which),FTLN 3194She is so conjunctive to my life and soulFTLN 3195That, as the star moves not but in his sphere,FTLN 3196I could not but by her. The other motiveFTLN 3197Why to a public count I might not goFTLN 319820Is the great love the general gender bear him,FTLN 3199Who, dipping all his faults in their affection,FTLN 3200Work like the spring that turneth wood to stone,FTLN 3201Convert his gyves to graces, so that my arrows,FTLN 3202Too slightly timbered for so loud a wind,FTLN 320325Would have reverted to my bow again,FTLN 3204But not where I have aimed them.LAERTESFTLN 3205And so have I a noble father lost,

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FTLN 3206A sister driven into desp’rate terms,FTLN 3207Whose worth, if praises may go back again,FTLN 320830Stood challenger on mount of all the ageFTLN 3209For her perfections. But my revenge will come.KINGFTLN 3210Break not your sleeps for that. You must not thinkFTLN 3211That we are made of stuff so flat and dullFTLN 3212That we can let our beard be shook with dangerFTLN 321335And think it pastime. You shortly shall hear more.FTLN 3214I loved your father, and we love ourself,FTLN 3215And that, I hope, will teach you to imagine—

Enter a Messenger with letters.

FTLN 3216How now? What news?MESSENGERFTLN 3217Letters, my lord, fromFTLN 321840Hamlet.FTLN 3219These to your Majesty, this to the Queen.KINGFTLN 3220From Hamlet? Who brought them?MESSENGERFTLN 3221Sailors, my lord, they say. I saw them not.FTLN 3222They were given me by Claudio. He received themFTLN 322345Of him that brought them.KINGFTLN 3224Laertes, you shall hearFTLN 3225them.—FTLN 3226Leave us.Messenger exits.FTLN 3227Reads.High and mighty, you shall know I am setFTLN 322850naked on your kingdom. Tomorrow shall I beg leave toFTLN 3229see your kingly eyes, when I shall (first asking yourFTLN 3230pardon) thereunto recount the occasion of my suddenFTLN 3231and more strange return. Hamlet.FTLN 3232What should this mean? Are all the rest come back?FTLN 323355Or is it some abuse and no such thing?LAERTESFTLN 3234Know you the hand?KINGFTLN 3235’Tis Hamlet’s character. “Naked”—FTLN 3236And in a postscript here, he says “alone.”FTLN 3237Can you advise me?

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ACT 4. SC. 7

LAERTESFTLN 323860I am lost in it, my lord. But let him come.FTLN 3239It warms the very sickness in my heartFTLN 3240That I shall live and tell him to his teethFTLN 3241“Thus didst thou.”KINGFTLN 3242If it be so, LaertesFTLN 324365(As how should it be so? how otherwise?),FTLN 3244Will you be ruled by me?LAERTESFTLN 3245Ay, my lord,FTLN 3246So you will not o’errule me to a peace.KINGFTLN 3247To thine own peace. If he be now returned,FTLN 324870As checking at his voyage, and that he meansFTLN 3249No more to undertake it, I will work himFTLN 3250To an exploit, now ripe in my device,FTLN 3251Under the which he shall not choose but fall;FTLN 3252And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe,FTLN 325375But even his mother shall uncharge the practiceFTLN 3254And call it accident.LAERTESFTLN 3255My lord, I will be ruled,FTLN 3256The rather if you could devise it soFTLN 3257That I might be the organ.KINGFTLN 325880It falls right.FTLN 3259You have been talked of since your travel much,FTLN 3260And that in Hamlet’s hearing, for a qualityFTLN 3261Wherein they say you shine. Your sum of partsFTLN 3262Did not together pluck such envy from himFTLN 326385As did that one, and that, in my regard,FTLN 3264Of the unworthiest siege.LAERTESFTLN 3265What part is that, my lord?KINGFTLN 3266A very ribbon in the cap of youth—FTLN 3267Yet needful too, for youth no less becomesFTLN 326890The light and careless livery that it wearsFTLN 3269Than settled age his sables and his weeds,FTLN 3270Importing health and graveness. Two months since

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FTLN 3271Here was a gentleman of Normandy.FTLN 3272I have seen myself, and served against, the French,FTLN 327395And they can well on horseback, but this gallantFTLN 3274Had witchcraft in ’t. He grew unto his seat,FTLN 3275And to such wondrous doing brought his horseFTLN 3276As had he been encorpsed and demi-naturedFTLN 3277With the brave beast. So far he topped my thoughtFTLN 3278100That I in forgery of shapes and tricksFTLN 3279Come short of what he did.LAERTESFTLN 3280A Norman was ’t?KINGFTLN 3281A Norman.LAERTESFTLN 3282Upon my life, Lamord.KINGFTLN 3283105The very same.LAERTESFTLN 3284I know him well. He is the brooch indeedFTLN 3285And gem of all the nation.KINGFTLN 3286He made confession of youFTLN 3287And gave you such a masterly reportFTLN 3288110For art and exercise in your defense,FTLN 3289And for your rapier most especial,FTLN 3290That he cried out ’twould be a sight indeedFTLN 3291If one could match you. The ’scrimers of theirFTLN 3292nationFTLN 3293115He swore had neither motion, guard, nor eye,FTLN 3294If you opposed them. Sir, this report of hisFTLN 3295Did Hamlet so envenom with his envyFTLN 3296That he could nothing do but wish and begFTLN 3297Your sudden coming-o’er, to play with you.FTLN 3298120Now out of this—LAERTESFTLN 3299What out of this, my lord?KINGFTLN 3300Laertes, was your father dear to you?FTLN 3301Or are you like the painting of a sorrow,FTLN 3302A face without a heart?LAERTESFTLN 3303125Why ask you this?

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KINGFTLN 3304Not that I think you did not love your father,FTLN 3305But that I know love is begun by timeFTLN 3306And that I see, in passages of proof,FTLN 3307Time qualifies the spark and fire of it.FTLN 3308130There lives within the very flame of loveFTLN 3309A kind of wick or snuff that will abate it,FTLN 3310And nothing is at a like goodness still;FTLN 3311For goodness, growing to a pleurisy,FTLN 3312Dies in his own too-much. That we would doFTLN 3313135We should do when we would; for this “would”FTLN 3314changesFTLN 3315And hath abatements and delays as manyFTLN 3316As there are tongues, are hands, are accidents;FTLN 3317And then this “should” is like a spendthrift sigh,FTLN 3318140That hurts by easing. But to the quick of th’ ulcer:FTLN 3319Hamlet comes back; what would you undertakeFTLN 3320To show yourself indeed your father’s sonFTLN 3321More than in words?LAERTESFTLN 3322To cut his throat i’ th’ church.KINGFTLN 3323145No place indeed should murder sanctuarize;FTLN 3324Revenge should have no bounds. But, good Laertes,FTLN 3325Will you do this? Keep close within your chamber.FTLN 3326Hamlet, returned, shall know you are come home.FTLN 3327We’ll put on those shall praise your excellenceFTLN 3328150And set a double varnish on the fameFTLN 3329The Frenchman gave you; bring you, in fine,FTLN 3330togetherFTLN 3331And wager on your heads. He, being remiss,FTLN 3332Most generous, and free from all contriving,FTLN 3333155Will not peruse the foils, so that with ease,FTLN 3334Or with a little shuffling, you may chooseFTLN 3335A sword unbated, and in a pass of practiceFTLN 3336Requite him for your father.

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LAERTESFTLN 3337I will do ’t,FTLN 3338160And for that purpose I’ll anoint my sword.FTLN 3339I bought an unction of a mountebankFTLN 3340So mortal that, but dip a knife in it,FTLN 3341Where it draws blood no cataplasm so rare,FTLN 3342Collected from all simples that have virtueFTLN 3343165Under the moon, can save the thing from deathFTLN 3344That is but scratched withal. I’ll touch my pointFTLN 3345With this contagion, that, if I gall him slightly,FTLN 3346It may be death.KINGFTLN 3347Let’s further think of this,FTLN 3348170Weigh what convenience both of time and meansFTLN 3349May fit us to our shape. If this should fail,FTLN 3350And that our drift look through our badFTLN 3351performance,FTLN 3352’Twere better not assayed. Therefore this projectFTLN 3353175Should have a back or second that might holdFTLN 3354If this did blast in proof. Soft, let me see.FTLN 3355We’ll make a solemn wager on your cunnings—FTLN 3356I ha ’t!FTLN 3357When in your motion you are hot and dryFTLN 3358180(As make your bouts more violent to that end)FTLN 3359And that he calls for drink, I’ll have preparedFTLN 3360himFTLN 3361A chalice for the nonce, whereon but sipping,FTLN 3362If he by chance escape your venomed stuck,FTLN 3363185Our purpose may hold there.—But stay, whatFTLN 3364noise?

FTLN 3369That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream.FTLN 3370Therewith fantastic garlands did she makeFTLN 3371Of crowflowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples,FTLN 3372That liberal shepherds give a grosser name,FTLN 3373195But our cold maids do “dead men’s fingers” callFTLN 3374them.FTLN 3375There on the pendant boughs her coronet weedsFTLN 3376Clamb’ring to hang, an envious sliver broke,FTLN 3377When down her weedy trophies and herselfFTLN 3378200Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide,FTLN 3379And mermaid-like awhile they bore her up,FTLN 3380Which time she chanted snatches of old lauds,FTLN 3381As one incapable of her own distressFTLN 3382Or like a creature native and enduedFTLN 3383205Unto that element. But long it could not beFTLN 3384Till that her garments, heavy with their drink,FTLN 3385Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious layFTLN 3386To muddy death.LAERTESFTLN 3387Alas, then she is drowned.QUEENFTLN 3388210Drowned, drowned.LAERTESFTLN 3389Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia,FTLN 3390And therefore I forbid my tears. But yetFTLN 3391It is our trick; nature her custom holds,FTLN 3392Let shame say what it will. When these are gone,FTLN 3393215The woman will be out.—Adieu, my lord.FTLN 3394I have a speech o’ fire that fain would blaze,FTLN 3395But that this folly drowns it.He exits.KINGFTLN 3396Let’s follow, Gertrude.FTLN 3397How much I had to do to calm his rage!FTLN 3398220Now fear I this will give it start again.FTLN 3399Therefore, let’s follow.They exit.

ACT5

Scene1

Enter Gravedigger and Another.

GRAVEDIGGERFTLN 3400Is she to be buried in Christian burial,FTLN 3401when she willfully seeks her own salvation?OTHERFTLN 3402I tell thee she is. Therefore make her graveFTLN 3403straight. The crowner hath sat on her and finds itFTLN 34045Christian burial.GRAVEDIGGERFTLN 3405How can that be, unless she drownedFTLN 3406herself in her own defense?OTHERFTLN 3407Why, ’tis found so.GRAVEDIGGERFTLN 3408It must be se offendendo; it cannot beFTLN 340910else. For here lies the point: if I drown myselfFTLN 3410wittingly, it argues an act, and an act hath threeFTLN 3411branches—it is to act, to do, to perform. Argal, sheFTLN 3412drowned herself wittingly.OTHERFTLN 3413Nay, but hear you, goodman delver—GRAVEDIGGERFTLN 341415Give me leave. Here lies the water;FTLN 3415good. Here stands the man; good. If the man go toFTLN 3416this water and drown himself, it is (will he, nill he)FTLN 3417he goes; mark you that. But if the water come to himFTLN 3418and drown him, he drowns not himself. Argal, heFTLN 341920that is not guilty of his own death shortens not hisFTLN 3420own life.OTHERFTLN 3421But is this law?GRAVEDIGGERFTLN 3422Ay, marry, is ’t—crowner’s ’quest law.

239

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OTHERFTLN 3423Will you ha’ the truth on ’t? If this had not beenFTLN 342425a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out o’FTLN 3425Christian burial.GRAVEDIGGERFTLN 3426Why, there thou sayst. And the moreFTLN 3427pity that great folk should have count’nance in thisFTLN 3428world to drown or hang themselves more thanFTLN 342930their even-Christian. Come, my spade. There is noFTLN 3430ancient gentlemen but gard’ners, ditchers, andFTLN 3431grave-makers. They hold up Adam’s profession.OTHERFTLN 3432Was he a gentleman?GRAVEDIGGERFTLN 3433He was the first that ever bore arms.OTHERFTLN 343435Why, he had none.GRAVEDIGGERFTLN 3435What, art a heathen? How dost thouFTLN 3436understand the scripture? The scripture says AdamFTLN 3437digged. Could he dig without arms? I’ll put anotherFTLN 3438question to thee. If thou answerest me not to theFTLN 343940purpose, confess thyself—OTHERFTLN 3440Go to!GRAVEDIGGERFTLN 3441What is he that builds stronger thanFTLN 3442either the mason, the shipwright, or the carpenter?OTHERFTLN 3443The gallows-maker; for that frame outlives aFTLN 344445thousand tenants.GRAVEDIGGERFTLN 3445I like thy wit well, in good faith. TheFTLN 3446gallows does well. But how does it well? It doesFTLN 3447well to those that do ill. Now, thou dost ill to say theFTLN 3448gallows is built stronger than the church. Argal, theFTLN 344950gallows may do well to thee. To ’t again, come.OTHERFTLN 3450“Who builds stronger than a mason, a shipwright,FTLN 3451or a carpenter?”GRAVEDIGGERFTLN 3452Ay, tell me that, and unyoke.OTHERFTLN 3453Marry, now I can tell.GRAVEDIGGERFTLN 345455To ’t.OTHERFTLN 3455Mass, I cannot tell.

Enter Hamlet and Horatio afar off.

GRAVEDIGGERFTLN 3456Cudgel thy brains no more about it,

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FTLN 3457for your dull ass will not mend his pace withFTLN 3458beating. And, when you are asked this questionFTLN 345960next, say “a grave-maker.” The houses he makesFTLN 3460lasts till doomsday. Go, get thee in, and fetch me aFTLN 3461stoup of liquor.The Other Man exitsand the Gravedigger digs and sings.FTLN 3462